;zQs=^ 


^m  DEPARTMfeNT    OF  H 

-S'^XS.  i9. I 

'  University  of  Illinnig    t 


«Bi,ok.s  are  not  to  be  t^ln  f^  the  lS^I!^    a 


Success  in  Market  Gardening, 


VEGETABLE  GROWERS'  MANUAL. 


By   W.    JV.  Rajfsox,  of  Arlixgtox,  Mass. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


BOSTON,  MASS.: 
PrBLISHED  BV  THE  AUTHOR. 

1887. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S87,  by 
W.   W.   RAWSON, 
In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


Eleciro'yf>ed and  Printed  by  Cashman^  Keating  h'  Co., 
Sgj  IVuihingtoH  St.,  Boston. 


PREFACE. 


Ix  view  of  the  rapid  changes  and  improvements 
in  varieties  and  modes  of  culture  which  continually 
appear,  it  must  be  evident  that  the  practical  rules  of 
Market  Gardening  need  to  be  frequently  revised  and 
brought  down  to  date.  And  any  Manual  on  this 
subject,  to  be  of  practical  value  to  the  reader,  must 
include  many  important  directions  not  hitherto  found 
in  works  of  tliis  class.  No  treatise  within  our  knowl- 
edge has  appeared  during  the  last  nine  years  that  has 
aimed  at  covering  the  field  with  any  approach  to  com- 
pleteness; and,  moreover,  so  far  as  we  are  aware  no 
book  has  ever  been  written  that  is  fully  adapted  to  the 
latitude  of  New  England.  \ 

I  have  been  brought  up  in  the  business  of  Market 
Gardening-  My  father  followed  it  before  me,  and, 
being  led  to  it  both  by  circumstances  and  inclination, 
I  naturally  took  it  up.  I  must  have  had  a  strong 
predilection  for  the  work  or  I  should  not  have  followed 
it,  as  I  have,  continuously  until  now.     I  can  now  point 

iii 


•%^ 


\ 


iv  Preface. 

back  to  a  successful  business  experience  of  twenty-four 
years.  So  far  as  I  am  aware  no  market  gardener  in 
Massachusetts  or  New  England  employs  a  larger 
capital  or  sends  to  market  a  larger  annual  product. 

The  extent  of  my  establishment  and  operations  at 
Arlington  has  attracted  general  public  notice.  Men 
who  have  already  embarked  in  the  business,  and  have 
themselves  been  more  or  less  successful  in  it,  will  find 
in  this  book  the  means  of  comparing  their  own  methods 
with  mine.  Young  men  who  are  about  to  choose  their 
avocation,  and  who  have  heard  of  the  increasing 
extent  and  importance  of  this  business  of  Vegetable 
Growing,  will  find  here  facts  collected  from  a  long 
experience,  which  can  hardly  fail  to  be  valuable  to  an 
attentive  reader. 

A  reasonable  man  will  estimate  the  worth  of  this 
book  by  what  it  contains  —  not  criticising  it  for  the 
absence  of  matters  which  lie  beyond  its  scope  and 
purpose.  In  the  introductory  remarks  with  which  it 
opens,  I  have  endeavored  to  explain  my  object  with 
sufficient  precision,  and  throughout  the  preparation  of 
the  work  I  have  aimed  to  outdo,-  rather  than  come 
short  of,  the  promise  held  forth  in  the  opening  chapter. 

w\  w.  R. 

Arlington,  Mass., /ttw/aryi  1S87. 


CONTENTS. 


PA RT  I.      On  tJie  Grcruiing  of  Crops  in  General. 

Page 
CHAPTER  I.      Introductory    Remarks.      Location-   and  Soil. 

Land  Drainage.     Irrigation  ok  Crops 9-28 

CHAPTER  IL  Preparation-  of  thr  Soil.  Laying  O'.tt  for 
Crops.  Rotatio.v  of  Crops.  Manures.  T.-ieir  Applica- 
IIO'H 


CHAPTER  \\\.  Selection'  of  Seeds.  Th«:ir  Vitality.  Sfed 
Growing.  Sowing  the  Seed.  Cultivation  ok  Crops. 
Harvesting  or  Gathering  the  Crops.  Amount  of  Capi- 
tal AND  Labor  Required 


PA  R  T  II.     Directions  and  Descriptions  in  Detail. 

CHAPTER  IV.  Vegetables  Raised  for  Market.  Character- 
istics. Cultural  Direction-.  Ariichoke— Jerusal-m  Ar.i- 
choke  —  As; )aragus— Dwarf  or  Bush  Beans  —  Dwarf  Varieties  — 
Pole  Beans—  Pole  Varieties  — Scarlet  Runner  —  Lima— Enalish 
or  Bioad  Beans — Borecole,  or  Kale  —  Varieties  —  Broccoli  — 
Brussels  Sprouts  — Cabbages  — Cojt  of  a  Crop— Earlv  \a.iciies 
—  Young  Piatits — Laier  Varieties  —  Wintt  r  Kceiing  —  Carrots- 
Under  Glass — Late  Sons — Cauliflower — Culture — Varieties — Gele- 
riac  —  Ctlcry  —  Planting  Out  —  Banking  —  Sioring  —  Arlington 
Celery  —  Uther  Kinds  —  Chicoi y  —  Chives  —  H ow  Used    .     .  -  . 

CHAPTER  V.  Vegetables,  Etc.— C^«^w«^^.  Field  Com  —  Sweet 
Corn  —  Best  Varieties — Corn  Salad  —  ctc>s  —  Cucumbers — Un- 
der Glass  —  Transplanii  >g—  Best  Varieties —  Dandelion —  Ho.v 
Sown  — Egg  Plant  —  Endive  —Varieties  of  Er.dive  —  Herbs  — 
Herbs,  continued— Horseradish  —  Kohi-Rabi  —  Sale  and  Use  — 
Leek  —  Lettuce  —  J  he  Green  Fly  —  Prevention  —  Varieties  of 
Lettuce  —  Continuous  Cropping —  Martyr ia  —  Culture  —  Mush- 
looms  —  MusKmelous  and  Cantaloupes  —  Culture  —  Mustard  — 
Ndsturtiiun  —  UK.ra , 


29-52 


53-: 


109 


10-  146 


CHAPTER  VI.  Vegetables,  'Eic  — Conceded.  The  Onion  — From 
Sets  or  .Seeds—  Parbl  y—  Parsnips—  Pta>—  Eaily  Varieties  — 
Later  Sors  — Tall  Kinds — Peppers — Potatoes — Cmnne  Seed 
Potatoes  — Radishes— Under  Glass  — Later  Crops— Winter  Vari- 
eties —  Rhubarb  —  Salsify  —  Spinach  —  Squashes  —  Besi  Keeping 
Varieties  --  Tomatoes  —  1  heir  Culture  —  Rawson's  Puritan  — 
The  Cardinal  —  Early  Turnips  —  Laier  Kincs — Waiermeloiis  — 
Desirable  Sorts  — Ciiron  Melon- Chinese  Vam 147- iSi 

CHAPTER  VI T.  Farm  Implemevts.  The  Plough- Special  Forms 
—  List  of  those  Required  —  Harrows — Best  Pilverizt-r  —  Smooih- 
ing  Harrow— Roller —  The  Planet,  Ir.  (  uliivator- SnuTv  Small 
Tools  — SI  de-hoe  — Wheel-hoe— Seed  Drill-— Field  Marker  — 
Hot-Bed  Markers  —  Cabbage  Carrier— Deane's  Steam  Pump. 
Re.mpdies  oi;  Preventives  of  Disease.  Insecticides,  Liquid 
and  Dry —  Injurious  Insects —  How  Conlrclhd.     Coxclision.      1S2  -20S 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Vignette — Summer  Crookneck  . 
Products  of  the  Market  Garden 
Green  Gl>be  Artichoke 
Jerusalem  Artichoke  . 
Asparagus,  Bunched  . 
tally  Mohawk  Bean  . 
Pole  Horticuhural  Bean 
Improved  Lima  Bean 
Broad  Windsor  .  .  . 
Djvvins;  Bet  t  ... 
Lhard'Ltaf-Beet  .  . 
Dwarf  Purple  Kale  . 
Purple  Cap  Broccoli  . 
Brussels  Sprouts  .  . 
Early  Summer  Cabbage 
Early  Ktampes  Cabbage 
Early  Jersey  Wakefield  - 
Globe  Curled  Savoy  . 
Earlv  Horn  Carrot 
French  Forcng  Carrot 
Early  Scarlet  Horn  . 
Danvers  Half  Long  . 
Improved  Long  Orange 
CauHflower    .... 

Celeriac 

Celery,  Early  Arlington 

Chicory 

Chives 

Held  Corn,  Tiaced  Ears 
Sweet  or  Sugar  Corn    . 
Corn  Salad  (Feiiicus) 
Cress,  or  Peppersirass 
Group  of  Cucumbers  . 
Dandelion       .... 
Green  Cuiled  Endive 
Improved  Purrlc  Eeg  PI 
Black  Pekin  Egg  Plant 
Rosemary       .... 
Summer  Savory       .     . 

Sage 

Horseradish  .... 
Kohl-Rabi      .... 
London  Flag  Leek 
Lettuce,  B'.ack-Seedcd  T 
Green  Fringed  Lettuce 
White  Paris  Cos  Lettuce 
Baih  Cos  Lettuce    .     . 

Martytiia 

Mu-hioom  Beds      .     . 
Ariiiiptou  Green  Nutmeg 
Montreal  Market  Melon 
Bl.ick-Seeded  Mu--tard    . 

Okra . 

White  Portugal  Onicn     . 


Page 

Title 

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Purt;li  Top  White  Globe  Tui;ii 
Red  Too  Snap-Leaved  Turnip 


Danvers  Thick  Yellow     .     , 
Wethersfield  Large  Red 
Fine  Curled  Parsley    .     .     . 

Parsnip 

American  Wonder  Dwarf  Pea 
Tall  Growi  g  Pea  .... 
Group  of  Peppers  .... 
Baauty  of  Hebron  i'o:ato  . 
Cutting  to  Une  Eye  .  .  . 
French  Breakfast  Radish  . 
Scarbl  I'u' nip  Radish  .  . 
Long  Scarlet  Radish  .  .  . 
Salsify,  Bunched  .... 
Spinach,  Ailington  .  .  . 
Spinich,  Long  Siandiug 
Bush  Scallop  Squash  .  .  . 
Summer  Crookneck  Squa.h 
Hubbard  Squash  .... 
Cardinal  Tomato     .... 

Hoop  Tiained  Tomato     .     . 
Puritan  Toinato 
ipW 
Stra 
Whie  Top  Stiap-LeavedTuni 

Kolb's  Gem  Waierm<-lon  . 
Scaly  Bark  Wateimilon  .  . 
Ciiron  M^lon 

Chinese  Yarn 

Two- Horse  LanHside  Plough 

One- Horse  Landside  Plough 

Medium  Two-Hors2  L  S.  Plo 

Sulky  Plough  ill  Op  ration  . 

Two-Horse  Swivel  Plough  . 

Sub-   0.1  Ploush      .... 

Double  Mould  Boaid  Plough 

(Jeddes  Harrow       .... 

La  Dow  Disk  Harrow     .     . 

Miekf^r  Smoothing  Hariow 

Ki.ld  Roller 

Planet,  Jr.  Cuhivator       .     . 

Spade    

Short  Shovel 

Arlington  Slide  Hoe    .     .     . 

Long  Shovel 

SlusfShot  Bellows       .     .     . 

Little  Gem  Wheel  Hoe    .     . 

Arlington  Seed  Drill    .     .     . 

Little" Gem  Drill      .... 

Rawson's  Field  Maiker  .     . 

Hot- bed  Markers    •    •  ,•     • 

Cabbage  Carrier     •     •  '•     • 

Stt'am  Pump  and  Boiler  .     . 

Spraying  the  Plants   .     .     • 

tarmers'  Favorite  Duster    . 


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a  06 


VI 


PART    I. 


On  the  Growing  of  Crops  in  General. 


Success  in  Market  Gardening. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory    Remarks  —  Location*    and    Soils  — 
Land     Drainage  —  Irrigation  of  Crops. 

MARKET  GARDENING  as  a  business  has 
some  peculiar  features  in  which  it  ditlers  from 
other  branches  of  agriculture.  Many  people 
have  an  impression  that  the  growing  of  vegetables  for 
market  is  like  any  ordinan-  farming,  and  are  disposed 
to  believe  that  any  person  who  can  plough,  hoe,  and 
dig  can  grow  one  crop  as  well  as  another.  Such  people 
would  find  themselves  sadly  mistaken  if  they  should 
undertake  the  business  themselves  and  actually  attempt 
to  carry  it  on  equipped  with  only  a  general  knowledge 
of  ordinary  farm  work. 

Market  gardening  is  made  up  of  details  :  and,  while 
each  separate  step  mav  be  easy  of  master}'  by  those 
who  have  a  natural  taste  for  the  business,  the  whole 
art  and  a  full  comprehension  of  it  can  be  acquired 
only  by  actual  experience  in  the  work  and  thorough 
practical  acquaintance  with  all  the  minor  points. 

Therefore  we  desire  every  one  to  understand  at  the 
outset  that  a  book  on  the  subject,  no  matter  how 
complete,  can  be   only  a  helper,  and  a   partial   guide 


lo  Market  Gardejiing. 


towards  the  desired  knowledge.  In  other  words,  the 
rules  that  can  be  laid  down  on  paper,  however  explicit 
they  may  be  made,  will  never  educate  a  man  to  be  a 
successful  gardener,  unless  he  is  himself  naturally 
adapted  to  the  business,  and  is  willing  to  do  his  part 
by  personally  devoting  himself  to  the  work,  in  all  its 
details,  as  it  goes  along. 

And  so  in  writing  the  cultural  directions  for  the 
different  crops,  I  do  not  expect  to  be  explicit  enough 
to  enable  a  mere  novice',  with  no  knowledge  whatever 
of  the  subject,  to  achieve  a  success  in  gardening  the 
first  year.  This  would  be  impossible  for  me  to  do, 
were  I  to  attempt  it  —  which  I  do  noL  Even  should  I 
set  down  the  most  minute  particulars  and  details,  there 
would  be  very  few  cases  where  one  could  carry  them 
out  to  the  letter,  as  culture  and  treatment  must  neces- 
sarily vary  according  to  soil  and  locality. 

But  my  aim  is  simply  this  :  by  writing  out  practical 
directions  and  descriptions,  gathered  from  my  own 
experience,  to  enable  any  one,  already  in  some  degree 
familiar  with  the  work,  to  cultivate  successfully  the 
various  crops  enumerated  ;  provided  his  land  and  lo- 
cation are  adapted  to  them.  I  propose  to  give  my 
readers,  as  far  as  possible,  the  benefit  of  my  own 
practical  experience,  and  the  methods  of  a  success  in 
business  which  has  been  gained  only  by  years  of  close 
application  and  hard  work. 

In  the  following  pages,  I  shall  discuss  at  more  or 
less  length  all  the  different  products  of  the  market 
garden;  and  some  of  the  coarser  crops,  belonging 
rather  to  the   ''farm  garden,"  or  even  to  the  farm,   will 


Choice  of  a  Location.  1 1 

be  incidentally  treated  of.  In  so  doing,  I  shall  go 
through  the  v\"hole  series  in  alphabetical  order,  in  order 
that  the  reader  may  the  more  readily  turn  to  the  infor- 
mation he  is  seeking.  I  propose  to  devote  space  most 
liberally  to  the  most  important  crops.  A  chapter  on 
Farm  Implements  and  other  supplementary  matter  will 
conclude  the  work. 

But  there  are  certain  conditions  essential  to  all 
crops.  Some  of  the  most  essential  requirements  of 
high  cultivation,  and  even  of  the  most  ordinan,'  soil- 
culture,  are  often  misconceived  or  overlooked,  to  a 
serious  extent.  For  which  reason  it  seems  best,  before 
proceeding  to  particular  directions  for  particular  crops, 
to  treat,  as  fully  as  space  will  permit,  of  these  general 
and  ven-  essential  matters. 

Location  axd  Soils. 

In  seeking  a  good  location  for  a  market  garden,  of 
course  the  first  point  to  be  taken  into  consideration 
is  the  necessity  of  being  near  some  good  market. 

And,  right  here,  we  would  say  that  the  largest  cities 
do  not  always  offer  the  greatest  inducements  to  begin- 
ners. There  are  hundreds  of  wide-awake  towns  all 
over  the  countrv  which  will  furnish  a  2;ood,  thoup^h 
limited,  market  for  men  who  are  able  to  work  up  a  trade. 

In  these  smaller  towns,  producers  will  often  be 
enabled  to  realize  better  prices  than  in  metropolitan 
markets,  both  from  the  fact  that  there  is  less  competi- 
tion to  meet,  and  also  because  the  purchasers  there 
found  will  be  likely  to  look  more  to  the  quality,  and 
less  to  the  cheapness,  of  -the  article  offered,  than  those 
resorting  to  the  city  markets. 


12  Tflarket  Gardening. 

As  we  have  mentioned,  nearness  to  market  is  an 
important  point,  but  the  character  of  the  soil  and  the 
lay  of  the  land  are  of  importance  almost  as  vital  as 
location.  Of  course,  for  a  variety  of  crops,  the  land 
should  be  varied  in  character.  But  such  variety  cannot 
always  be  obtained,  so  that  many  are  confined  to  one 
or  two  distinct  kinds  of  soil,  and  in  such  cases  find 
themselves  limited  to  such  few  crops  as  are  particularly 
adapted  to  their  land  and  location. 

Rocky  ground  is  of  course  and  by  all  means  to  be 
avoided  for  garden  crops,  in  view  of  the  deep  and 
uniform  cultivation  they  need  to  receive.  And  low 
lands  which  require  under-draining  are  adapted  only  to 
certain  special  crops,  and  involve  heavy  outlays  to 
make  them  capable  of  profitable  culture.  Preferably 
to  either,  a  sandy  loam  with  a  sandy  or  gravelly  sub- 
soil should  be  selected.  Such  land  is  far  better  than 
soils  resting  on  clay,  not  only  because  its  nature  is 
warmer,  but  because  it  is  naturally  well  drained.  A 
clay  subsoil,  at  least  until  deep  drains  have  been  sunk 
and  operated  a  considerable  time,  will  render  any  land 
cold,  as  it  retains  the  moisture. 

If  one  can  have  his  choice  as  regards  the  lay  of 
his  land,  gently  rolling  or  undulating  slopes  with  a 
general  eastern  or  southern  exposure  should  by  all 
means  be  selected.  This  will  make  more  difference 
than  some  might  imagine ;  as  a  northern  or  western 
slope  is  not  nearly  so  soon  affected  by  the  genial 
spring  influences  as  a  more  sunny  location. 

The  difference  between  a  northern  and  a  southern 
slope  often  amounts  to  one  crop  a  year ;   for  on  the 


Convc7ticiicc  of  Slopes,  1 3 

sunnv  side  of  a  rise  of  land  the  soil  can  be  worked  in 
the  spring  so  much  earlier  that,  by  right  calculation, 
two  crops  a  year  can  be  grown,  the  first  of  which  can 
be  planted  earlier  —  and  the  second  can  actually  be 
harvested  sooner — than  the  one  crop  raised  on  a 
northern  slope. 

Sloping  land  has  still  another  advantage,  almost 
equally  desirable  with  that  derived  from  having  the 
right  exposure,  consisting  in  the  facility  it  ajffords  for 
irrigation.  If  a  water  supply  can  be  brought  to  and 
stored  in  a  tank,  constructed  on  a  natural  elevation 
within  the  area  to  be  irrigated,  the  slopes  of  course 
furnish  the  most  convenient  means  possible  for  its 
distribution  to  the  crops.  And  if  the  location  is 
fortunately  near  a  large  pond,  or  unfailing  brook,  the 
privilege  of  access  to  such  a  water  supply  would  ver}' 
greatly  increase  the  real  value  of  the  land  for  every 
sort  of  cultivation. 

It  should  be  noticed  that  some  ground  which  in  its 
native  condition  is  quite  incapable  of  bearing  good 
crops  has  yet  a  superior  natural  capacity^  that  may  be 
developed  by  skilful  handling  and  liberal  expenditure. 
This-is  especially  true  of  lands  lying  on  a  retentive 
subsoil,  and  such  lands,  after  some  years  of  thorough 
draining  and  deep  tilth,  will  show  admirable  results. 
In  treating  of  drainage,  we  shall  endeavor  to  make  it 
clear  how  such  a  course  of  culture  operates  to  mellow 
and  warm  the  cold,  barren  soils,  and  bring  them  into 
high  condition.  In  fact  —  having  a  good  exposure  to 
begin  with  —  by  drainage,  deep  tilth,  generous  and  judi- 
cious manuring,  and  irrigation  as   required,  the  most 


14  Market  Gardenhig. 

barren  spot  on  earth  can  be  made  as  highly  productive 
as  any  other  soil,  even  the  richest.  It  is  only  a  question 
of  time  and  expense.  Accordingly  it  has  been  said,  not 
without  some  truth,  that  after  all  the  chief  matter  in 
choosing  a  location  is  its  convenience  to  markets  of 
sale  and  supply ;  because  if  the  soil  be  never  so 
unfavorable  the  owner  can  make  it  over  to  suit  himself, 
while  if  he  is  remote  from  market  he  can  do  nothing 
to  help  himself  as  regards  that  difficulty.  All  these 
considerations  have  weight,  and  must  be  duly  allowed 
for  ;  but  the  point  I  desire  most  to  insist  upon  is  the 
advantages  possessed  by  the  loams  lying  on  sandy  or 
gravelly  subsoils,  in  their  excellent  natural  drainage, 
and  in  being  easy  of  cultivation. 

Land  Drainage. 

Land,  Soil,  or  Agricultural  Drainage  is  a  topic  already 
touched  upon,  because  inevitably  presenting  itself  in 
connection  with  the  choice  of  a  proper  location  ;  but  it 
is  quite  too  large  a  subject  to  be  dismissed  with  a 
brief  and  merely  casual  mention. 

In  selectins:  a  location  for  either  market  ^rardenino: 
or  farming,  it  is  preferable,  as  we  have  said,  to  secure 
land  that  is  naturally  well  drained.  By  this  description 
we  designate  a  soil  which,  owing  to  inclination  of  sur- 
face, or  from  having  a  porous  subsoil,  lets  the  water 
pass  off  quickly  after  a  heavy  rainfall,  and  which  there- 
fore stands  in  no  need  of  artificial  drainage.  But  it  is 
not  always  possible  to  secure  such  a  location,  and  in 
many  cases   artificial    drainage  is   the   only  means  by 


Coiistmctiou  of  Drams, 


which  the  best  of  farming  land  can  be  brought  umjg^y?)^^, 
cultivation 

It  would  be  impossible  in  a  volume  of  this  size,  even 
if  wholly  devoted  to  the  topic,  to  give  a  complete  de- 
scription, with  all  details  of  methods  and  materials 
employed,  for  constructing  the  tile  drains  now  in  general 
use.  We  can  only  hope'to  give  a  few  detached  sugges- 
tions on  the  subject,  such  as  may  be  of  beneht  to  our 
readers  in  improving  waste  land,  and  in  rendering 
hea\y,  soggy  fields  more  tillable,  and  turning  to  account 
their  natural  fertility. 

Amongst  all  the  \arious  ways  of  constructing  perma- 
nent drains  —  with  stone,  brush,  square  and  sole  tile, 
etc. —  it  has  become  the  well  established  general  opin- 
ion that  well-bunied  round  tiles,  with  collars,  if  well 
laid,  form  the  best.  And  in  the  long  run  they  also 
prove  the  cheapest ;  although  at  first  more  expensive 
than  some  other  devices. 

Cobble-stone  drains,  such  as  in  some  localities  are 
largely  used  in  place  of  tile,  are,  when  properly  laid, 
actually  more  costly.  And  still  more  objectionable  is 
the  fact  that,  although  in  some  instances  they  may  last 
a  long  time  and  prove  quite  serviceable,  they  are  always 
liable  to  be  reached  by  surface  water,  which,  by  carry- 
ing silt  into  them,  stops  them  up,  and  of  course  renders 
them  useless. 

The  general  principles  to  be  observed  in  laying  a 
stone  drain  are  quite  well  understood.  But  a  mistake 
is  often  made  by  lack  of  diligence  in  securing  proper 
covering,  and  especially  by  resorting  to  the  use  of  turf, 
which  is  often  dumped  in  upon  the  stones,   and  which, 


1 6  Market  Gardeninor, 

<j  •, 

when  decayed,  forms  the  most  effective  jDossible  mate- 
rial for  obstructing  the  drain. 

There  are  many  ways  of  constructing  cheap  drains  of 
brush,  sLibs,  poles,  etc.,  but  they  are  sure  to  clog  up 
and  create  trouble  sooner  or  later  ;  and,  as  we  have  said 
before,  the  round  tile  when  well  laid,  generally  speak- 
ing, forms  the  cheapest  and  most  satisfactory  means  of 
draining. 

In  planning  for  the  draining  of  a  field,  the  chiefly 
important  item  is  to  take  notice  of  the  lowest  jDoint ; 
at  which  the  outlet  must  be  formed.  If  a  natural 
watercourse  can  be  found  near  by,  as  much  as  four  or 
five  feet  lower  than  the  lowest  surface  of  the  field,  it 
will  be  a  great  saving,  both  as  regards  expense  and 
trouble.  The  ditch  by  which  the  water  is  carried  from 
the  outlet  must  be  of  sufficient  capacity  to  serve  its 
purpose  at  all  times  and  seasons  in  a  thoroughly  ade- 
quate manner. 

The  laying  out  of  mains,  sub-mains,  and  laterals  must 
depend  wholly  upon  the  character  and  condition  of  the 
land.  ]\Iore  skill  is  required  to  layout  properly  a  com- 
plicated system  of  drains  than  to  conduct  any  other 
branch  of  the  gardener's  work  ;  and  the  designing  of  it 
is  a  more  puzzling  matter  than  people  generally  realize, 
until  they  have  had  some  experience  in  it. 

In  the  brief  space  which  we  can  give  to  the  subject 
it  is  impossible  to  describe  minutely  the  methods  of 
mapping  out  such  a  system ;  and  we  cannot  do  bet- 
ter, therefore,  than  to  refer  our  readers  to  George  E. 
Waring,  Jr.'s  able  work  on  "  Draining  for  Profit  and 
Draining   for    Health,"    which    is   the   most    complete 


How  to  Dig  the  Draiiis.  1 7 


work  on  this  subject  with  which  we  are  acquainted. 
Any  one  who  has  even  a  moderate  amount  of  this  class 
of  improvements  in  contemplation  ought  by  all  means 
to  possess  a  copy  of  the  above  named  book,  and  make 
himself  master  of  its  contents  by  careful  and  diligent 
study. 

The  author  recommends  a  general  depth  of  four 
feet  for  drains  :  never  admitting  a  less  depth  unless 
where  an  outlet  at  that  depth  cannot  be  obtained,  or 
where  ground  is  underlaid  by  rock.  There  is  a  general 
concurrence  of  opinion  amongst  those  who  have  most 
carefully  examined  the  subject,  favoring  this  rule  for  the 
least  depth.  At  intermediate  points  occurring  between 
such  (minimum)  depths,  the  depth  must  be  often 
greater,  because  the  drain  must  slope  uniformly  from 
point  to  point,  while  the  land  does  not. 

As  regards  the  distance  between  the  drains,  there 
is  a  difference  cf  opinion,  in  fact  this  is  a  question 
which  does  not  admit  of  any  exact  or  detinite  solution, 
as  it  obviously  depends  in  a  great  degree  upon  the 
peculiar  constitution  of  the  soil,  which  is  variable ; 
and,  moreover,  no  am.ount  of  practical  experience 
even  will  afford  data  for  reducing  practice  to  any  well- 
grounded  theoretical  rule.  It  is  not  feasible  to  stale, 
in  exact  terms,  precisely  what  is  the  operation  of  these 
subterranean  drains  upon  the  moisture  of  the  soil ;  but 
an  idea  sufficiently  definite  for  all  practical  purposes 
may  be  gathered  from  experience. 

In  tolerably  porous  soils,  forty  or  even  fifty  feet  apart 
is  generally  conceded  to  be  sufficiently  near  for  four- 
foot    drains.     But    for    the    more    retentive  clays,  all 


1 8  Market  Gardenijig. 

distances  from  eighteen  feet  to  fifty  have  been  recom- 
mended. The  feeling  grows  more  in  favor  of  the 
greater  width,  from  continued  observation  of  the  suc- 
cessful working  of  drains  so  placed.  Still  the  author's 
opinion,  formed  from  over  twenty  years  of  personal 
experience  and  observation  of  such  works,  and  with  due 
consideration  of  views  published  by  others,  is  that  we 
should  hardly  ever,  where  a  soil  needs  draining  at  all, 
leave  widths  exceeding  forty  feet. 

He  further  says  that,  in  the  lighter  loams,  there  has 
been  good  success  in  following  Prof.  Mapes'  rule  : 
that  "three-foot  drains  should  be  placed  twenty  feet 
apart,  and  for  each  additional  foot  in  depth  the  distance 
may  be  doubled.  For  instance,  four-foot  drains  may  be 
forty  feet  apart,  and  five-foot  drains  eighty  feet  apart." 
But  with  reference  to  this  greater  distance,  —  eighty 
feet, —  it  is  not  to  be  recommended  in  stiff  clays  for  any 
depth  of  drain.  When  it  is  necessar}^  on  account  of 
underlying  rock  or  by  reason  of  insufficient  fall,  tc^go 
only  three  feet  deep,  the  drains  should  be  as  near  to- 
gether as  twenty  feet 

No  great  exactness  can  be  had  m  such  a  matter  as 
this.  In  consideration  of  the  variety  of  soils,  and  our 
inability  to  measure  the  exact  amount  of  water  to  be 
drawn  off  (which  is  never  a  constant  quantity),  or  even 
the  rate  at  which  it  may  reach  the  drains  by  percola- 
tion through  any  given  soil,  uniform  depths  and  dis- 
tances cannot  of  course  be  prescribed  with  any  pretence 
to  theoretical  precision.  A  general  judgment  made  up 
from  experience  and  observation  is  all  that  can  be 
offered. 


Good  Results  of  Draining  m    ^-^JiV 
Vf ^    %>-    ^^ 

For  explanation  of  the  beneficial  influences  of  onii^O/S, 
ing.  v.e  must  endeavor  to  realize  some  of  the  conditions^*"  ■-■•*' 
of  plant  life.  One  of  these  is  moisture  at  the  roots.  If 
dramage  were  attended  by  a  complete  withdrawal  of  all 
the  permanent  moisture  of  the  soil,  no  one  would  be  its 
advocate.  Some  imagine  that  wherever  executed  it  is 
to  the  detriment  of  the  land's  capacity  for  production, 
though  increasing  its  capacity  for  being  cultivated. 
They  say  "more  tillable  is  not  more  fertile.  Tile  drain- 
ing is  a  craze.  Wholesale  rules  without  discrimination 
are  a  curse.  Drained  lands  are  not  invariably  better 
than  the  same  lands  undrained,"  etc. 

But  we  maintain  that  in  all  soils  not  naturally  well- 
drained  (and  so  not  requiring  it)  draining  does  as  much 
good  by  promoting  m.cisture  during  periods  of  drought, 
as  by  removal  of  the  surplus  water,  which  would  other- 
wise destroy  the  productive  capacity  of  the  land.  This 
is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  deeper  tilth  and  pulveriza- 
tion of  the  drained  lands  enable  them  to  hold  in 
saturation,  as  water  is  held  in  a  sponge,  valuable  stores 
of  water  to  be  given  off  a  little  at  a  time,  as  needed, 
and  also  to  draw  up  from  below,  by  capillar}-  attraction, 
similar  timely  supplies  —  while  all  excess  and  surplus 
is  promptly  gotten  rid  of. 

A  recently  published  work  by  A.  X.  Cole  contains 
suggestions  of  interest  in  this  connection.  We  have 
suggested  that  the  most  perfect  drainage  does  not  aim 
at  a  complete  withdrawal  of  all  the  moisture ;  water  is 
essential  to  plant  life,  but  the  land  must  not  be 
drowned  with  water.  Air  and  water  both  must  be 
presented  to  the  feeding  roots.     He  savs,  ''tilled  land 


20  Market  Gardening. 


being  porous,  the  air  forces  its  way  into  the  crevices, 
and  the  water  (of  rains)  passes  through  it  from  above. 
We  will  suppose  that  the  water  comes  to  a  stratum  that 
is  impervious  to  its  onward  course.  What  happens  ? 
Simply  this  :  it  dams  up  slowly,  inch  by  inch,  forcing 
out  the  air  as  it  rises.  All  motion  and  circulation  is 
stopped.  Fermentation  and  decomposition  soon  begin. 
The  earth  is  drowned  out  —  suffocated  —  dead  for 
want  of  air.  Water  is  good  for  the  ground  ?  Yes ;  but 
not  in  this  way.  The  water  must  be  moving  constantly. 
There  must  be  a  current  of  air  and  water,  and  not  too 
much  or  too  little  of  the  latter." 

The  processes  of  pulverization,  which  will  be  de- 
scribed under  the  title  "  Preparation  of  Soil,"  are  such 
as  to  provide  for  the  admission  of  the  air.  We  shall 
now  consider,  in  the  remainder  of  the  present  chapter, 
by  what  means  we  may  supply  the  needful  amount  of 
the  other  indispensable  element,  water.  By  drainage 
we  provide  for  the  removal  of  a  surplus,  whether  from 
rains  or  springs  ;  our  next  care  must  be  for  supply  and 
distribution  of  a  quantity  adequate,  in  the  longest  and 
severest  droughts,  to  the  exacting  needs  of  the  grow- 
ing crops.  This  supply  and  distribution  constitute 
what  is  intended  by  the  term  "  Irrigation." 

Irrigation  of  Crops. 

Artificial  watering,  especially  as  now  conducted, 
forms  perhaps  one  of  the  most  important  subjects  that 
we  could  write  upon.  All  vegetables  are  composed 
largely  of  water,  some  containing  more  than  75  per 
cent.     A  single   hill  of   cucumbers,  as  has  been  said, 


Kccesslfy  of  Watering,  21 

will  drink  half  a  barrelful  of  water  in  three  days' 
time,  and,  having  done  so,  will  begin  languishing  for 
lack  of  moisture,  and  die  in  a  week.  According  to  Dr. 
J.  H.  Gilbert,  for  every  ton  of  dry  substance  grown,  in  an 
average  crop,  an  amount  of  water  equivalent  to  three 
inches  of  rain  is  exhaled  in  the  process;  which  amounts 
to  about  two  hundred  times  the  weight  of  the  vegeta- 
ble product.  And  Sir  J.  B.  Lawes  arrived  at  substan- 
tially the  same  result  by  his  own  researches,  separately 
prosecuted.  Hence  it  will  be  readily  seen  that,  unless 
there  is  moisture  enough  when  the  crop  requires  it, 
there  will  be  a  shortage  in  the  harvest. 

What  is  commonly  called  an  '"  impoverished  soil," 
or  one  considered  naturally  unfertile,  may  be  in  fact 
good  enough  in  itself,  its  only  deficiency  being  in  the 
matter  of  moisture.  We  often  see  a  poor  piece  of 
land  yielding  a  good  crop  in  a  wet  season  ;  and  artifi- 
cial watering  on  the  grand  scale  has,  in  many  well 
known  instances  in  Colorado,  California,  and  else- 
where, both  at  home  and  abroad,  converted  absolute 
deserts  into  productive  grain  farms  and  fruit  and  cattle 
ranches. 

Although  the  rainfall  during  each  year  averages 
about  the  same  now  as  in  former  periods,  the  seasons 
are  changing  in  this  respect :  that  the  rainfall  is  not  so 
evenly  divided,  and  we  get  longer  and  more  protracted 
droughts;  not  relieved  by  the  fact  that  the  rainfalls, 
when  they  do  come,  are  heavier.  For  this  reason  the 
subject  of  irrigation  is  constantly  gaining  in  impor- 
tance. It  involves  questions,  both  in  regard  to  the 
supply  of  water   and  the  manner  of  applying    it.     Of 


2  2  Market  Gardening. 

course  there  are  many  cases  where  land  is  not  located 
so  as  to  be  easily  irrigated.  Whatever  the  location  is, 
no  matter  if  quite  favorable,  it  will  require  careful 
management  in  laying  out  the  rows  and  planting  the 
crops,  to  secure  a  plan  which  will  allow  of  irrigating  to 
the  best  advantage.  The  rows  should  always  run 
up  and  down  the  slope  of  ground,  and  more  or  less 
obliquely  if  the  ground  is  at  all  steep  (instead  of 
crossway),  so  as  to  allow  of  watering  in  the  furrow  ; 
which  is  the  proper  way,  as  the  moisture  is  required  to 
be  applied  to  the  roots  and  not  the  foliage. 

There  are  very  few  market  gardeners  at  the  present 
time  who  have  adequate  facilities  for  supplying  them- 
selves with  water  for  irrigation,  and  it  can  only  be 
secured,  ordinarily,  at  a  great  expense. 

Although  many  places  are  located  near  towns  or 
cities  which  have  a  public  water  supply,  they  cannot  be 
allowed  to  draw  from  the  supply  in  such  large  quanti- 
ties as  are  required  for  purposes  of  irrigation  ;  as  the 
need  would  come  at  a  time  when  the  water  was  the 
lowest  in  the  reservoir,  and  was  most  in  demand  for 
other  purposes.  It  is  therefore  necessary  that  the 
land  to  be  irrigated  should  either  be  located  near  a 
pond,  lake,  or  stream,  or  else  supplied  by  an  under 
current  of  water  that  may  be  reached  by  a  driven  well. 

After  a  sufficient  supply  of  water  is  found,  the 
method  of  raising  it  to  a  proper  height  for  distribution 
is  by  the  use  either  of  steam-pumps  or  windmills,  or 
both.  A  tank  or  reservoir  of  the  largest  attainable 
capacity  must  also  be  provided,  for  the  purpose  of 
storing  the  water  so  raised  until  it  can  be  properly  dis- 


Expense  of  Fitting  Up.  23 

tributed  to  the  crops.  Where  windmills  are  used,  for  ob- 
vious reasons,  the  storage  capacity  must  be  greater  than 
Avhere  steam-pumps  are  employed.  This  may  amount 
to  a  considerable  addition  to  the  first  cost;  but,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  cost  of  steam-pump  and  boiler  is  some- 
what greater,  and  the  running  expenses  considerably 
so.  There  are  incidental  advantages  attending  the 
use  of  steam  which  may  be  of  great  importance.  The 
preference  must  depend  upon  the  circumstances  of 
one's  situation. 

The  expense  of  fitting  up  any  such  arrangement  for 
irrigating  a  market  garden  is  so  great  that  most  gar- 
deners think  that  they  cannot  afford  it.  Even  for  a 
small  piece  of  a  few  acres,  the  cost  would  be  at  least 
from  $2,000  to  $3,000;  on  a  larger  place,  a  much 
greater  amount.  If  one  has  not  the  means  to  pay  for 
these  facilities,  and  does  not  feel  warranted  in  sroins: 
into  debt  for  what  he  wants,  of  course  he  must  do 
without  them,  and  depend  on  transient  waterings  from 
summer  showers.  But  it  becomes  more  and  more  evi- 
dent every  year  that  such  a  course  will  ruin  the  man 
who  follows  it.  The  ill  effects  of  the  increasing  irreg- 
ularity of  the  rainfall  are  mitigated,  it  is  true,  by 
deeper  ploughing  and  the  construction  of  drainage 
works,  but  all  crops  (some  more  than  others),  in  addi- 
tion to  every  other  aid  that  can  be  given  them,  will 
need  besides,  at  certain  times,  abundant  watering. 
Even  in  the  most  favorable  seasons,  resort  must  be 
had  to  artificial  watering,  at  intervals,  to  secure  the 
growing  and  maturing  of  a  crop  such  as  to  give  satis- 
faction, and  reward  the  gardener  for  his  labor. 


24  Market  Gardening. 

For  about  nine  months  of  the  year  a  windmill  would 
furnish  all  the  water  required  by  a  market  garden,  but 
during  the  other  three  months  a  steam-pump  would  be 
required  in  addition  in  order  to  furnish  a  sufficient 
supply  for  all  seasons. 

On  a  later  page  we  shall  present  a  cut  of  a  compact 
and  serviceable  steam  apparatus  designed  for  pumping, 
under  Deane's  patent.  It  combines  all  the  essential 
features  needed  for  drawing  water  from  the  source 
of  supply  (well,  spring,  stream,  pond,  or  tank),  and 
forcing  the  water  any  distance  and  height  to  a  point 
suitable  for  distributing  it,  by  gravity,  over  the  land  to 
be  irrigated ;  or,  as  sometimes  practised,  forcing  it 
through  pipes  to  hydrants,  where  hose  can  be  used  for 
further  distribution.  In  some  cases  the  hose  may  run 
directly  from  the  pump.  It  is  much  more  easily  under- 
stood and  managed  than  might  be  supposed,  owing  to 
the  simplicity  and  compact  style  of  its  construction. 
It  is  claimed  to  be  the  simplest  arrangement  of  the 
kind  on  the  market,  and  such  that  any  one  of  ordinary 
intelligence  can  learn  to  operate  it  in  half  a  day. 

The  easiest  and  perhaps  the  best  way  of  leading  the 
water  to  various  localities  at  will  is  by  the  use  of  rubber 
hose  ;  this  is  cheaper  than  pipe,  which  is  heavy,  and 
very  awkward  to  handle.  At  the  present  time  it  is 
easy  to  obtain  rejected  steam  fire-engine  hose  which, 
although  not  strong  enough  to  stand  the  pressure  of 
the  steam  fire-engines,  is  amply  strong  enough  to  use 
for  irrigating.  There  is  seldom  more  than  thirty 
pounds'  pressure,  as  the  water  is  not  forced,  but  is 
allowed  to  run  through  the  open  hose.     The  amount 


Cost  of  Each    Watering,  25 


of  land  that  can  be  irrigated  by  the  use  of  a  steam- 
pump  in  a  day  of  twelve  hours  is  about  three  acres. 
The  expense  would  be  about  $10.00  per  day,  in- 
cluding the  wear  and  tear  of  the  pump,  hose,  etc.,  as 
it  would  take  one  man  to  run  the  pump  and  another  to 
tend  the  hose,  which,  with  cost  of  coal  and  various 
minor  items,  would  foot  up  about  the  amount  stated. 
It  will  be  seen  by  the  above  figures  that  the  direct  cost 
of  irrigating  an  acre  of  land  once  would  be  about 
$3.50.  This  is  exclusive  of  interest  on  the  original 
outlav.  A  suitable  pump  will  throw  one  hundred 
gallons  per  minute  ;  which,  in  a  day  of  twelve  hours, 
would  be  equivalent  to  covering  three  acres  nearly  one 
inch  deep.  This  is  much  more  than  an  average  single 
rainfall;  and  certainly  there  is  no  acre  of  growing  crops 
which,  in  a  dry  time,  would  not  be  benefited  to  an 
amount  much  more  than  S3. 50.  or  even  double  that 
amount,  by  such  an  application  of  water.  Many  claim 
that  watering  by  artificial  means  does  not  pay;  but 
certainly,  where  water  is  available  so  that  it  can  be 
applied  in  such  ample  quantity  at  the  price  thus 
indicated,  it  must  be  plain  to  every  one  that  it  will  pay, 
and  in  many  cases  will  earn  many  times  the  amount  it 
costs.  Oftentimes  such  a  watering  will  save  a  crop 
which  otherwise  would  have  been  a  failure. 

There  is  very  seldom  a  season  so  wet  that  the  steam- 
pump  will  not  be  required  two  or  three  weeks  ;  and  in 
m.ost  seasons  it  will  be  in  use  eight  or  ten  weeks. 
When  the  weather  is  ver\-  dry,  and  all  the  crops  need 
abundant  watering,  the  pump  should  be  kept  running 
night  and  day,  by  employing  two  sets  of  man.     It  will 


26  Market  Gardening, 

be  economy  to  do  this  not  only  from  the  fact  that  a 
double  supply  is  thus  obtained,  but  because  when  the 
fire  is  allowed  to  go  out  at  night  it  takes  about  an  hour 
to  get  the  pump  to  running  again.  By  continuous 
running,  time  is  saved  at  both  ends  of  the  day. 

In  applying  the  water  to  a  field  of  cabbage  or  cauli- 
flower, the  rows  being  about  three  and  a  half  feet 
apart,  a  plough  is  run  between  the  rows,  so  as  to  make 
a  furrow  for  the  water  to  run  in.  It  is  a  very  easy 
matter  to  water  a  field  where  the  land  is  on  a  slope,  but 
where  it  is  nearly  level  it  is  much  more  work  ;  as  the 
hose  has  to  be  frequently  transferred  to  different  points 
in  order  to  water  evenly. 

In  watering  a  field  of  celery  a  furrow  is  ploughed 
away  from  the  plants,  on  each  side  of  the  row,  at  a 
distance  of  about  one  foot.  The  furrow  is  then  filled 
with  water;  and  as  soon  as  this  has  soaked  away  the 
furrow  is  turned  back  again.  An  application  of  this 
kind  once  a  week  will  prove  sufficient  even  in  the 
dryest  time. 

The  crops  which  require  the  most  water,  and  those 
which  therefore  are  most  benefited  by  irrigation,  are 
cabbage,  cauliflower,  celery,  lettuce,  beets,  cucumbers, 
horse-radish,  and,  in  some  cases,  squashes. 

The  practice  of  irrigation  in  this  manner  has  but 
lately  been  introduced,  and  on  account  of  the  great 
expense,  the  method  described  is  used  by  only  a  very 
few,  speaking  comparatively.  But  too  much  cannot  be 
said  in  favor  of  irrigation;  and  the  use  of  windmills 
and  steam-pumps  is  becoming  more  general.  Their 
use  will  no  doubt  further  increase  as  people  learn  more 


Examples  in  Actual  Practice,  27 

of  their  value,  and  come  to  see  the  advantage  of  hav- 
ing a  constant  supply  of  water  at  hand,  and  thus 
becoming  independent  of  the  freaks  of  the  weather  in 
this  particular. 

In  one  instance,  which  was  reported  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts Horticultural  Society,  in  a  severe  drought,  a 
steam-pump  was  rigged,  and  the  water  of  ^lystic 
River  was  poured  for  seven  days  and  nights  upon  a 
parched  field,  averaging  75.000  gallons  per  day,  or  a 
quantity  equal  to  three  inches  over  the  entire  surface, 
at  a  cost,  including  all  expenses,  of  perhaps  ten  cents 
per  1,000  gallons. 

Somewhat  later,  in  188^,  the  present  writer  had  six 
acres  planted  with  cauliflowers.  This  is  a  crop  which 
does  not  show  the  effect  of  dry  weather  until  about  to 
head ;  when,  if  there  is  danger  of  a  check,  the  applica- 
tion of  water  will  cause  them  to  go  right  on.  That 
year  the  need  was  urgent,  and  he  devoted  his  steam- 
pump  to  the  work  of  supply  —  running  it  continuously 
for  four  weeks,  with  two  men  by  day  and  two  to  relie\-e 
them  at  night.  From  these  six  acres  he  sold  $3,500 
worth  of  cauliflowers.  If  he  had  not  irrigated  them  he 
would  not,  probably,  have  realized  over  S  1,000  for  his 
crop. 

It  will  be  manifest,  upon  reflection,  that  continuous 
light  waterings  are  not  what  is  desired.  Water  cannot, 
of  course,  be  applied  without  reducing  the  temperature 
of  the  soil  verv  materiallv,  and  thus  occasionmo^, 
for  the  time,  a  condition  unfavorable  to  the  advance 
of  the  crop.  This  is  a  matter  for  serious  considera- 
tion, in   connection   with   many  crops,   especially  in  a 


23  Market  Gardenincf, 

climate  like  ours.  In  the  case  of  light  waterings,  fre- 
quently repeated,  a  larger  proportion  disappears  by 
immediate  evaporation,  thus  wasting  work,  and,  more- 
over, by  this  e::cessive  evaporation,  still  further  and 
needlessly  reducing  the  temperature  of  the  soil.  Lib- 
eral supplies  at  proper  intervals  are  rather  to  be 
given,  transferring  the  delivery  from  one  section  of 
the  grounds  to  another,  on  successive  days,  and  so 
continuing  till  it  is  time  to  resume  the  round.  The 
proper  intervals,  in  a  time  of  drought,  may  be  taken  to 
be  about  one  week,  on  the  average,  —  though  this 
must  vary  with  the  crop,  the  soil,  the  temperature,  and 
the  judgment  of  the  cultivator.  The  same  variation 
may  be  expected  in  estimating  the  amount  of  water 
necessary  for  one  thorough  irrigation.  No  general 
estimate  on  these  points  can  be  given  that  will  be  at 
all  satisfactory,  except  merely  as  a  rough  rule  for  plan- 
ning the  scale  of  the  works.  In  establishing  such  a 
system,  no  great  nicety  of  calculation  is  likely  to  be  of 
any  value.  The  data  already  given,  and  the  practical 
examples  which  have  been  cited,  will  enable  any  one, 
making  due  allowance  for  variations  of  circumstances, 
to  arrive  at  a  conclusion  near  enough  for  his  purposes. 


CHAPTER  11. 

Preparation  of  the  Soil  —  Laying  Out  of  Land 
FOR  the  Different  Crops — Rotation  of  Crops 
— ^L\NURES — Their  Application. 

A  PROPER  PREPARATION  of  the  soil,  prior 
to  sowing  or  planting,  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant conditions  involved  in  the  process  of 
getting  a  crop.  We  shall  not  aim  to  discuss  at  length 
the  principles  on  which  it  depends,  but  confine  our- 
selves in  the  main  to  simple  and  practical  directions 
as  to  the  work  to  be  done. 

Ploughing,  subsoiling,  harrowing,  raking,  and  Tat 
some  stage  of  the  process)  manuring, — these  constitute 
the  main  operations  by  which  the  land,  after  being 
stripped  of  a  crop,  is  put  into  condition  to  be  planted 
with  another. 

For  all  market-garden  crops  we  recommend  that  the 
ground  be  ploughed  once  before  an  application  of 
manure  is  made.  In  the  case  of  all  leaf  crops,  like 
celerv,  cabbasfe,  etc..  eiofht  inches  would  be  a  sufilicient 
depth  for  this  first  ploughing,  before  the  manure  is 
applied.  For  the  second  ploughing,  which  is  to  turn 
the  manure  under,  a  depth  of  six  inches  would  be  suf- 
ficient, and  preferable  :  so  as  to  leave  the  manure  as 
near  the  surface  as  possible,  and  still  have  it  covered. 

Then,  if  the  land  is  lumpy  or  hard,  a  wheel  harrow  or 
some  implement  for  breaking  up  the  lumps  should  be 

(29) 


30  Market  Gardaiing. 

put  to  service.  Lumpy,  untven  ground,  or  coarse  soil 
will  never  do  to  plant  in :  seeds  will  not  catch  uni- 
formly or  grow  well  in  it ;  the  plants  will  lack  uniform- 
ity, and  will  not  mature  together.  The  importance  of 
this  matter  is  too  generally  underrated  ;  very  few  peo- 
ple have  anything  like  an  adequate  idea  of  it.  If  the 
ground  is  to  be  devoted  to  raising  greens,  or  some 
sowed  crop  where  a  drill  is  to  be  employed,  a  Meeker 
harrow  will  smooth  the  surface  nicely,  so  that  the 
seed-sower  will  do  its  work  to  satisfaction.  A  full 
description  of  its  operation  may  be  found  in  the  chap- 
ter treating  of  Farming  Implements, 

This  harrow  will  prepare  the  surface  sufficiently  well 
for  such  crops  as  onions,  cabbages,  or  beets,  and  for 
spinach  and  other  sorts  of  greens ;  but  for  such  small 
fine  seeds  as  those  of  lettuce,  or  dandelion,  the  hand 
rake  must  be  brought  into  service. 

For  root  crops,  at  the  first  ploughing  a  depth  of 
twelve  inches  would  be  none  too  much.  In  ploughing 
for  deep-rooted  crops,  like  parsnips,  long  carrots,  or 
horseradish,  the  second  ploughing  should  be  of  eight 
inches'  depth ;  and  this  should  be  followed  by  a  "  sub- 
soil," after  which  use  the  Meeker  harrow  or  leveller, 
as  already  directed. 

After  ploughing  and  harrowing,  it  is  often  advisable 
to  pass  the  roller  over  the  land.  The  horse  roller  is  a 
very  useful  article,  and  is  used  very  extensively.  When 
the  ground  has  been  harrowed,  and  the  lumps  not  yet 
broken  are  brought  to  the  surface,  the  roller  is  put  on 
to  crush  and  smooth  them  out.  It  is  also  very  bene- 
ficial on  light  land,  in  dry  weather,  to  help  the  land  to 


of  Preparation.  31 


retain  a  sufficient  quantity  of  moisture.  I  have  found 
the  use  of  a  good  horse  roller  to  be  of  great  advan- 
tage, both  in  breaking  up  and  pulverizing  lumpy  land, 
and  in  firming  down  soil  that  has  been  thrown  up  ver\- 
lightly  during  previous  preparation.  Such  soil  until 
again  compacted,  is  prone  to  become  excessively  dry  : 
a  result  which  is  obviated  by  use  of  the  roller.  The 
top  should  be  perfectly  dry  before  rolling,  in  order  to 
obtain  the  desired  effect. 

We  have  already  alluded  to  subsoiling,  and  wish  to 
remark  here  that  the  subsoil  plough  is  a  valuable, 
indeed,  an  indispensably  necessary  implement,  and 
should  be  invariably  put  to  use  in  the  preparation  of 
the  ground  for  all  root  crops.  The  subsoil  should  fol- 
low after  the  land-side  plough,  in  the  same  furrow,  and 
go  down  to  a  depth  of  fifteen  or  eighteen  inches.  It 
usually  takes  two  horses,  as  the  larger  sizes  of  ploughs 
do  ;  and  it  is  even  harder  for  the  team  than  common 
ploughing.  There  are  small  subsoilers  which  can  be 
used  vrith  one  horse ;  but  if  the  land  requires  subsoiling 
at  all,  it  is  better  economy  to  use  the  larger  size  and  do 
the  work  more  thoroughly. 

In  the  concluding  chapter,  relating  to  Farm  Imple- 
ments, a  sufficient  description  will  be  given  of  the  dif- 
ferent ploughs  that  are  likely  to  be  required,  both  land- 
side  and  subsoil.  At  this  point  I  wish  to  call  attention 
to  the  great  importance  of  keeping  them  always  clean 
and  bright.  Never  allow  the  ploughman  to  put  his 
plough  away  with  any  dirt  upon  it.  It  is  the  sure  mark 
of  a  poor  ploughman,  when  his  plough  is  covered  with 
dirt,  and  goes  through  the  land  like  a  stick. 


32  Market  Gardening, 

In  fact,  there  are  but  very  few  good  ploughmen  to 
be  had,  and  any  employer  is  fortunate  if  he  gets  one. 
Many  men  will  call  themselves  good  at  ploughing;  but 
the  men  who  really  understand  it,  and  do  it  as  it  should 
be  done,  are  very  scarce.  When  such  a  man  is  found, 
he  should  be  kept  on  the  place,  if  possible. 

In  ploughing  land  for  the  different  crops,  some  plough 
about  the  same  depth  for  everything  ;  but  the  'depth 
ought  to  be  varied  so  as  to  suit  the  crop.  For  instance  : 
all  root  crops  should  be  ploughed  from  ten  to  twelve 
inches  ;  while,  for  vine  crops,  six  inches  would  be  quite 
sufficient.  Many  take,  in  all  cases,  all  they  can  to  the 
furrow,  making  it,  say,  twelve  or  fourteen  inches  wide ; 
but  where  the  land  is  ploughed  twelve  inches  deep, 
and  a  coat  of  manure  is  turned  under  at  the  same  time, 
eight  inches  is  wide  enough  to  turn  the  furrow.  In 
a  "first-time"  ploughing,  of  six  inches  deep,  with  no 
manure  to  turn  under,  twelve  or  fourteen  inches  may 
be  taken  at  each  furrow.  Always  plough  all  the  land 
once  in  the  fall  and  twice  in  the  spring,  but  never 
when  it  is  wet.  Soil  that  is  worked  when  very  wet, 
except  sometimes  a  very  sandy  piece,  will  scarcely  re- 
cover from  it  for  a  whole  season. 

The  purpose  of  the  fall  ploughing  will  be  most  com- 
pletely accomplished  by  leaving  the  land  in  clods  and 
rough,  loose  ridges,  for  the  frost  to  operate  upon  during 
the  winter.  The  greater  the  su;face  thus  exposed  to 
the  influence  of  the  atmosphere  and  changes  of  weather, 
the  better  for  the  soil  and  the  coming  season's  crops. 
Moreover,  late  turning  over  the  ground  is  an  effectual 
means  of  killing  off  the  larvae  of  the  May  beetle,  the 


Importance  of  Pulverizing  Findy.     33 

pestilent  white  grub,  and  other  larvae  of  insects.  Being 
disturbed  from  their  winter  quarters,  they  are  to  a 
great  extent  destroyed  by  exposure  to  the  cold  and  air. 

In  the  case  of  sod  land  to  be  prepared  for  tilled 
crops,  there  is  a  manifest  advantage  in  turning  it  earlier 
in  the  season,  so  as  to  hasten  the  decay  of  the  turf  ; 
but  with  land  already  under  cultivation  the  case  is  en- 
tirely different,  and  the  later  it  can  be  done  the  better. 

It  is,  of  course,  assumed  that  everything  necessary 
to  a  perfect  drainage  has  been  done  prior  to  the  pro- 
cess of  preparation  here  described.  Wherever  the 
water  has  been  extracted  by  drainage,  it  leaves  a 
moderate  moisture  in  the  soil  (until  withdrawn  by 
evaporation  or  taken  up  by  the  crop),  which  is  exactly 
the  condition  most  favorable  to  vegetation.  The  vari- 
ous processes  of  preparation,  and  later  cultivation,  are 
directed  more  especially  to  the  maintenance  of  this 
condition. 

The  ground  should  be  finely  pulverized  both  at  and 
below  the  surface,  encouraging  the  roots  to  strike 
downwards  and  below  the  immediate  influence  of  the 
hot  sun.  The  air  entering  through  the  fine  interstices 
of  the  soil  condenses  its  latent  moisture  upon  the 
cooler  portions  beneath  the  surface  ;  thus  contributing 
materially  to  the  desired  moisture,  and  also  aiding  the 
chemical  changes  attendant  upon  plant  growth. 

Another  very  important  result  of  thorough  and  deep 
pulverization  is  the  capacity  afforded  to  the  soil  of 
directly  absorbing  and  holding  rain-water  which  other- 
wise would  flow  off  wastefuUy,  if  not  destructively,  on 
the  surface.     Any  one  can  see  for  himself  the  contrast 


34  Market  Gardening. 

between  a  soil  which  has  received  this  thorough  tilth, 
and  one  which  has  not ;  the  latter  looks  well  enough 
early  in  the  season,  but  is  burned  up  when  the  sum- 
mer heats  begin ;  while  the  deep-tilled  land,  on  the 
contrary,  holds  the  moisture  like  a  damp  sponge,  down 
below  the  reach  of  the  sun;  and  its  presence  there  is 
plainly  visible  in  the  crop. 

Laying  Out  Land  for  Crops. 

A  careful  and  definite  plan,  to  be  adhered  to  with 
as  much  strictness  as  the  nature  of  the  case  will 
admit,  is  essentially  necessar>'  at  the  verj-  outset  of 
operations.  If  one  is  w^ell  acquainted  with  the  land  he 
is  cultivating,  and  knows  what  crops  have  been  grown 
on  each  portion  of  it  the  previous  season,  of  course  he 
can  make  his  plans  accordingly.  But  if  it  be  the  first 
season  of  his  occupation  his  arrangements  must  of 
necessity  be  guided  by  such  information  as  he  has.  In 
that  case,  they  will  be  partly  experimental,  and  changes 
will  be  from  time  to  time  inevitably  incurred  ;  but  this 
disadvantage  should  be  avoided  as  far  as  careful  atten- 
lion  to  the  subject  will  enable  him. 

It  is  a  good  idea,  when  practicable,  to  have  a  plan 
of  the  garden  on  paper,  and  to  have  this  made  during 
the  winter ;  so  that  the  intended  arrangement  of  crops 
can  be  mapped  out  for  the  coming  season.  This  will, 
of  course,  be  a  convenient  guide  in  placing  the  manure 
for  each  crop  at  the  point  where  it  is  to  be  used,  in 
procuring  supplies  of  seed,  and  also  in  many  other 
details. 

In  mapping  out  afield  in  this  manner,  a  person  must 


Systematic  Rotation  of  Crops.         35 

of  course  understand  the  rotation,  or  succession,  of 
crops,  in  order  to  do  the  mapping  intelligently ;  and 
accordingly  we  shall  proceed  to  consider  this  subject 
next  in  order. 

Rotation  of  Crops. 

The  right  succession  of  crops  for  enabling  the  cul- 
tivator to  obtain  paying  results,  both  in  the  harvests 
to  be  gathered  first  and  in  condition  of  the  soil  for 
further  culture,  has  always  been  a  subject  of  much 
importance  to  every  tiller  of  the  soil;  and  is  also  inter- 
esting from  a  scientific  point  of  view. 

The  difference  between  the  old  style  of  summer 
fallowing  and  the  present  well  understood  plans  of  ro- 
tation is  so  considerable  that  the  two  ways  are  styled 
by  some  the  "old"  and  '"new"  agricultures. 

Under  the  old  system,  an  occasional  year  of  fallowing 
was  relied  upon  to  rest  the  ground  and  renew  the  plant 
food  in  the  soil,  so  that  in  the  succeeding  year  a  larger 
yield  could  be  obtained  than  if  the  land  had  been 
cropped  continuously. 

Fallowing,  although  of  benefit  in  some  respects,  is 
wasteful  in  two  ways.  The  land  of  course  is  yielding  no 
income  in  the  idle  year;  here  there  is  a  loss  of  interest 
on  capital.  And  then,  too,  as  I  am  persuaded,  there  is 
always  more  or  less  waste  and  loss  of  plant  food  going 
on  from  any  soil  that  is  left  exposed  to  the  sun  and 
rain  during  the  summer  months.  At  least  two  and  often 
three  crops  in  a  year  with  constant  tilth  (including,  with 
other  benefits  to  the  soil,  the  suppression  of  all  weeds 
and  wild  growih)  represent  the  "new"  method.     It  is 


36  Market  Gardening, 

decidedly  in  contrast  with  the  old  at  all  points  —  and 
seems  at  all  points  to  have  the  advantage  of  it. 

The  correct  theory  of  rotation  proposes,  while  mak- 
ing immediate  use  of  the  plant  food  already  in  the  soil, 
at  the  same  time  to  prepare  the  soil  for  producing  the 
other  crops  that  are  next  to  follow.  In  arranging  for 
a  system  of  rotation,  we  should  aim  to  grow  such  crops 
and  under  such  culture  as  will  keep  the  soil  well  sup- 
plied with  humus,  or  plant  food. 

No  exact  rules  can  be  laid  down  as  to  the  order  in 
which  crops  should  be  planted  in  rotation,  but  it 
should  be  remembered  that  some  plants  by  nature 
feed  near  the  surface  (like  com,  for  instance),  while 
others,  take  clover  for  an  example,  draw  the  most  of 
their  nourishment  from  deep  down  in   the  soil. 

The  object  should  be  always  to  avoid  following  one 
deep-rooted  crop  by  a  similar  one ;  taking  great  care  to 
alternate  them  with  others  as  constantly  as  possible.  It 
is  well,  when  practicable,  to  follow  a  slow-growing  crop 
with  one  of  quick  growth,  or  7nce  versa.  No  root  crop 
should  follow  one  of  a  similar  character  ;  nor  should 
vines  follow  vines.  Alternation  is  always  beneficial. 
Onions  are  very  generally  regarded  as  an  exception  to 
this  general  rule,  and  to  some  extent  they  doubtless 
are  so;  but  I  have  not  found  it  advisable  to  grow  them 
on  the  same  ground  many  consecutive  years,  as  they 
are  far  more  likely  to  become  maggoty,  and  otherwise 
diseased,  than  when  the  ground  is  changed  once  in 
two  or  three  seasons. 

There  is  considerable  truth  in  the  suggestion  that  a 
good   rotation  can   only   be   had  when  conducted  by 


Manures  and  Fertilizers.  37 

competent  management,  as  hinted  in  tlie  following  ex- 
tract from  Wilmer  Atkinson  :  '*  The  rotation  that  is 
wanted  is  the  one  that  wil'l  rotate  most  fertility  into 
the  farm  and  most  cash  into  the  pocket.  Differing 
soils,  differing  advantages  or  disadvantages  of  mar- 
kets, differing  degrees  of  knowledge  and  experience 
in  the  growing  and  handling  of  certain  crops  are 
among  the  many  elements  that  enter  into  the  question. 
In  anv  case,  it  must  be  the  one  that  will  vield  the  laref- 
est  amount  of  sale  product,  with  which  to  meet  current 
expenses  of  business  and  living,  and  at  the  same  time 
store  increase  of  fertility  in  the  land  for  future  use." 

Just  what  this  is  appears  to  him  a  doubtful  question, 
quite  too  intricate  to  be  discussed,  and  on  which  it 
would  be  quite  impracticable  for  one  farmer  to  advise 
another.  On  the  contrary,  we  hold  that  accumulated 
experience  has  settled  many  points  in  a  way  not  likely 
to  be  reversed,  and  affords  much  valuable  aid  in  pro- 
moting the  objects  on  which  all  are  agreed,  viz. : 
immediate  cash  returns  and  future  productiveness  of 
the  soil. 

The  subject  of  the  judicious  succession  of  crops  will 
be  repeatedly  reverted  to,  and  illustrated  bv  manr 
practical  examples,  fully  explained.  These  will  be 
found  in  the  cultural  directions  which  accompany  our 
descriptions  of  the  different  vegetables,  hereafter 
given  in  this  book. 

Manures  and  Fertilizers. 

The  provision,  preparation,  and  use  of  manures  and 
fertilizers  is  one  of  the  most  important  and  diversified 


38  Market  Gardening, 

subjects  in  the  whole  business  of  market  gardening; 
and  to  cover  these  points  advantageously  and  econom- 
ically involves  a  very  considerable  amount  both  of 
thought  and  labor. 

In  my  own  practice,  the  dressing  that  is  usually 
supplied  per  acre  for  growing  the  two  or  three  crops 
which  it  is  customary  to  obtain  each  year  from  garden 
land  consists  of  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  cords  of 
well  decomposed  stable  manure,  put  on  broadcast. 

The  manner  of  applying  depends  somewhat  on  the 
crop;  and  many  special  instructions  will  be  given  in  the 
cultural  directions  which  are  furnished  with  our  de- 
scriptions of  various  vegetables.  In  general,  however, 
the  manure  is  either  spread  in  advance  of  the  first 
ploughing,  and  then  turned  under,  or  is  put  on  after 
the  ground  has  been  worked  once,  being  then  worked 
in  with  the  second  ploughing.  The  distribution  of  the 
manure  is  generally  by  the  use  of  tip-carts,  as  there  is 
no  spreader  now  in  use  that  will  put  on  twenty  cords 
13er  acre  by  once  going  over. 

During  the  summer,  fall,  and  winter,  manure  for  the 
succeeding  season  is  hauled  out  from  the  city.  The 
sources  of  supply  are  the  large  stables,  from  which  the 
accumulations  of  manure  must  be  removed  at  brief 
intervals  all  through  the  year.  It  is  usually  piled  in 
some  place  near  where  it  is  to  be  used.  However, 
during  the  summer,  it  is  my  usual  practice  to  put  it 
into  my  cellars,  and  there  let  the  hogs  work  it  over 
until  fall.  This  manure,  so  prepared,  is,  in  my  judg- 
ment, the  best  I  have,  and  is  used  for  growing  cabbages 
as  well    as  other  vegetables;    although   many  people 


Ovcrhaiiling  and  Distributing  Mamirc.  39 

do  not  consider  hog  manure   desirable  for  that  crop. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  winter  this  is  teamed  out 
upon  the  fields  where  it  is  to  be  used ;  the  cellar  is 
then  filled  again,  and  its  contents  remain  in  it  until 
spring.  All  the  manure  which  is  drawn  from  the  city 
in  the  summer  and  fall  is  overhauled  in  the  early  wi;> 
ter,  and  is  again  worked  over  in  the  spring  before 
applying  it  to  the  land.  It  will  then  be  quite  fine,  and 
fitted  for  nourishing  any  kind  of  crop. 

In  distributing  the  manure,  to  put  on  twenty-five 
cords  to  the  acre,  reckoning  four  tip-cart  loads  to  the 
cord,  requires  one  hundred  loads ;  making  three  piles 
to  the  load,  we  shall  have  piles  twelve  feet  apart  each 
way.  In  applying  twenty  cords  to  the  acre,  still  reck- 
oning four  tip-cart  loads  to  the  cord  and  three  piles  to 
the  load,  we  shall  have  piles  twelve  by  fifteen  feet 
apart.  In  applying  fifteen  cords  to  the  acre,  with 
loads  and  piles  as  before,  we  shall  have  piles  sixteen 
by  fifteen  feet  apart. 

This  last  named  amount  is  one  which  is  seldom  used 
in  a  market  garden,  except  where  one  crop  is  to  occupy 
the  ground  through  the  whole  season.  Where  two 
crops  are  to  be  grown  with  one  application  of  manure, 
the  second  amount  is  the  one  to  be  used  :  and  where 
three  are  to  be  grown,  us2  the  first  named  amount. 

It  is  very  wasteful  to  expose  manure  unnecessarily 
to  sun  and  wind.  Xever  spread  manure  one  day  to  be 
ploughed  in  the  next. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  mention,  lest  its  importance 
should  be  overlooked  or  under-estimated,  the  great 
advantage  of   taking  care,  in  spreading  the  manure,  to 


40  Market  Gardening. 

do  it  evenly,  and  so  that  the  heaps  shall  not  be  made 
to  overlap.  One  heap  is  then  made  to  join  up  to  an- 
other, and  the  whole  ground  fares  alike  as  regards  the 
supply  of  manure.  This  seems  obvious  enough,  and 
practical  works  on  farming  already  have  sought  to  en- 
force this  view.  But  as  we  read  in  one  recently  pub- 
lished, "  there  is  more  in  this  point  than  is  generally 
supposed  by  farmers,  who,  in  many  cases,  are  careless 
and  wasteful  in  this  respect,  giving  too  much  in  some 
places  and  too  little  in  others.  The  consequence  is 
uneven  growth  over  the  different  parts  of  the  field  ; 
perhaps  rank  in  some  places,  and  in  others  a  half- 
starved  crop." 

The  same  writer  suggests  another  important  point  in 
spreading,  which  is  to  break  up  the  lumps  and  scatter 
the  manure  about  in  a  fine  state  ;  unless  this  is  done 
the  field  cannot  be  evenly  fertilized.  There  is  work 
about  this,  and  some  hired  men  will  neglect  and  avoid 
it  if  they  are  permitted,  but  it  should  not  only  be  in- 
sisted upon,  but  looked  after,  and  its  faithful  perform- 
ance insured.  Solid  manure  should  never  be  allowed  to 
ferment,  either  out-doors  or  under  a  cover,  without  the 
presence  of  absorbent  material  to  take  up  the  gases 
evolved  during  the  process.  This  is  the  basis  upon 
which  the  whole  theory  of  composts  and  management 
of  the  compost  heaps  is  admitted  to  rest. 

As  already  implied,  it  is  necessary  for  green  manure 
to  undergo  fermentation,  in  order  to  make  its  constit- 
uent elements  available  as  plant  food.  Some  good 
gardeners  insist  that  all  manure  should  be  thoroughly 
fined  before  it  goes  upon  the  land  ;  that  none  should 


Use  of  Commercial  Fertilizers.         41 

hz  carried  on  that  is  not  as  fine  as  the  soil  upon  which 
it  is  to  be  spread.  It  is  undoubtedly  advantageous  to 
conform  to  this  rule  as  far  as  is  reasonably  possible. 
However,  green  manure  may  be  applied  in  the  fall 
and  covered  in  with  the  fall  ploughing,  in  which  case 
the  fermentation,  when  it  occurs,  takes  place  within 
the  soil,  making  it  mellow  and  rich.  At  this  stage, 
and  until  the  warm  weather  of  the  following  spring 
induces  fermentation,  there  can  be  no  waste  of  the 
manure  by  soakage  of  water,  because  it  is  still  insol- 
uble. 

The  case  is  different  with  fine  compost,  or  with  the 
ordinary  pulverized  commercial  fertilizers,  the  benefit 
from  which  must  be  secured  in  a  crop  taken  the  same 
season  or  it  may  never  be  obtained. 

In  case  three  crops  are  to  be  grown  and  the  third 
crop  is  to  be  cabbage  or  celery,  the  application  of 
about  one  half  ton  of  some  good  commercial  fertilizer  to 
each  acre  would  be  very  beneficial.  It  should  be  put  on 
when  the  third  crop  has  made  about  half  its  growth. 
In  many  snnilar  cases,  guano,  superphosphate,  bone- 
dust,  and  the  like  may  be  used  in  combination  with  the 
stable  manure  already  in  the  soil,  with  excellent  results. 

This  use  of  commercial  fertilizers  in  connection  with 
stable  manure  has  become  quite  common  with  market 
gardeners  during  the  past  few  years.  Some  people  even 
have  an  idea  that,  by  the  u^e  of  commercial  fertilizers 
and  without  any  other  manuring,  land  can  be  kept  in  a 
proper  state  of  fertility  and  condition  to  grow  crops, 
year  after  year.  Possibly  this  might  at  times  be  dons, 
on  some  soils,  and  where  only  one  crop  each  year  was 


42  Matdct  Gardening. 

to  be  produced ;  but  in  the  market  gardens  where  are 
grown  several  crops  in  a  single  season,,  maintaining  a 
constant  drain  upon  the  nourishment  afforded  by  the 
soil,  such  a  plan  would  not  be  found  to  work  well. 

One  reason  for  this  is,  that  where  two  or  three  crops 
are  to  be  grown  during  the  season,  the  particular  kind 
of  fertilizer  which  would  be  required  by  one  crop 
might  be  of  little  or  no  value  to  the  others.  And 
moreover,  it  would  be  a  very  difficult  matter  to  apply, 
from  time  to  time,  sufficient  quantities  of  commercial 
fertilizers  to  carry  all  the  crops  to  maturity.  But  stable 
manure  answers  well  for  all  crops,  and  so,  if  desired 
(though  not  always  necessary  or  convenient),  enough 
can  be  applied  at  the  time  of  ploughing,  in  the  spring, 
to  carry  all  the  crops  through  the  season. 

Green  or  composted  stable  manure,  besides  the  in- 
creased store  of  plant  food  it  directly  provides  for  the 
growing  crop,  increasing  its  vigor,  and  enabling  it  to 
strike  deeper,  has  no  doubt  a  beneficial  effect  upon  the 
mechanical  condition  or  texture  of  the  soil.  This  is  not 
the  case  with  the  commercial  fertilizers,  which,  if  used 
without  the  stable  manure  as  a  corrective,  in  course  of 
time  make  the  land  sodden  and  heavy.  Thus  it  will  be 
seen  that,  for  vraious  reasons,  commercial  fertilizers 
cannot  wholly  or  even  largely  take  the  place  of  stable 
manure,  while  they  are  nevertheless  much  esteemed  for 
use  in  combination  with  it.  Siuce  the  use  of  commer- 
cial fertilizers  has  become  general  the  price  of  stable 
manure  has  decreased ;  and  while  the  convenience  of 
procuring  the  former  makes  them  more  particularly  con- 
venient and  valuable  to  the  stock-feeding  farmers  (who 


Transportation  of  Xight-SoiL  43 

are  generally  remote  from  the  city),  their  introduction 
has  also  been  of  much  benefit  to  the  gardeners  near 
the  large  cities,  in  thus  reducing  the  cost  of  stable 
manure.  The  price  would  be  even  lower  than  it  is, 
were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  large  quantities  are  now 
shipped  by  the  car-load  from  the  cities  to  distant  points, 
while  but  a  few  years  ago  no  instance  of  the  kind  had 
ever  occurred. 

The  old-fashioned  privy-vault  or  cesspool  is  a  source 
of  supply  once  largely  depended  upon,  but  now  only 
rarely  met  with  ;  as  the  general  extension  of  water- 
works to  all  the  more  compact  centres  of  population, 
and  even  to  isolated  country  houses,  has  caused  a 
discontinuance  of  the  earlier  practice  of  allowing  night- 
soil  to  accumulate,  and  depending  upon  intermittent 
removal  by  carts. 

Still  there  is  sometimes  a  case  of  this  kind  to  be 
dealt  with.  The  owner  of  the  premises,  if  he  has 
facilities,  will  generally  prefer  to  compost  his  material 
on  the  spot,  with  a  liberal  proportion  of  light,  dry 
loam,  rendering  it  perfectly  inoffensive.  It  is  a  highly 
stimulating  fertilizer,  and  may  be  productive  of  excel- 
lent results  if  discreetly  used.  When  the  owner's 
object  is  simply  to  get  rid  of  the  contents  of  his  vault, 
—  although  formerly  this  was  accomplished  by  bailing 
into  wagons  specially  built  for  the  work  (similar  to  the 
offal-wagons  now  used  for  collecting  kitchen  refuse)  — 
it  is  found  more  convenient  to  use  an  ordinary  (tight 
built)  cart  or  wagon  ;  in  this,  earth,  chopped  straw, 
ashes,  street  sweepings,  or  any  other  convenient  ab- 
sorbents are   conveyed  to  the  spot.     With  earth  and 


44  Market  Gardening, 

ashes  a  basin-shaped  receptacle  is  formed  on  the 
ground  adjacent  to  the  cesspool,  keeping  a  reserve  at 
hand  of  absorbent  material  to  be  added  by  degrees  as 
the  work  progresses.  The  vault  is  then  bailed  out 
into  the  space  so  provided,  and,  its  contents  being 
mixed  with  a  due  proportion  of  absorbents,  and, 
finally,  the  earth  around  the  edges  being  worked  in, 
the  whole  mass  is  then  ready  to  be  loaded  and  trans- 
ported. 

By  this  method  the  material  is  made  convenient  to 
handle,  and  as  little  disagreeable  as  ordinary  manure 
from  the  barnyard.  In  England,  and  on  the  Continent, 
by  the  use  of  long  straw,  judiciously  disposed  during 
the  loading,  the  mixed  material  above  described  is 
built  up  into  a  stack  reaching  two  or  three  feet  high, 
above  the  sides  of  the  wagon  or  cart,  and  so  great 
loads  of  it  are  carried  many  miles  without  loss.  The 
straw  is  spread  so  that  half  of  its  length  projects  over 
the  sides  or  ends  of  the  load,  and  in  layers— the  inner 
ends  of  the  straw  being  covered  and  held  fast  by  the 
alternate  layers  of  compost  —  and  the  outer  ends  are 
then  bent  upwards  and  backwards,  and  similarly  con- 
fined. Racks  for  sides  and  ends  are  convenient  but 
when  the  load  is  carefully  put  together  may  be  dis- 
pensed with. 

Wood  ashes,  where  they  can  be  obtained,  form  one 
of  the  best  of  fertilizers,  and  when  unleached  are  gen- 
erally richer  in  potash  (which  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant elements)  than  most  commercial  fertilizers. 
From  the  fact  that  ashes  are  almost  entirely  lacking  in 
nitrogen,  it  is  not  advisable  to  rely  on  them  alone  and 


Manuring  in  the  Hill —  Composts,      45 

continuously,  year  after  year;  but  if  applied  about 
once  in  three  years,  with  stable  manure  put  on  in  the 
meantime,  they  will  be  found  of  great  value.  For 
cabbage  and  onions,  which  require  a  very  large  amount 
of  potash,  ashes  are  especially  suitable. 

For  manuring  in  the  hill,  which  is  in  many  cases 
highly  advantageous,  it  is  ordinarily  preferred  to  use 
guano,  superphosphates,  and  the  like,  because  of  the 
facility  with  which  they  can  be  put  in ;  care  being  always 
taken  to  stir  them  m  well,  so  that  the  sprouting  seeds 
shall  escape  absolute  contact  with  the  unmixed  fertil- 
izer— which  would  be  destructive. 

Good,  ripe,  well-worked  compost  is  also  employed  ; 
often  made  from  materials  specially  purchased  to  mix 
up  (like  fish  compost,  made  where  tish-waste  is  readily 
procurable ),  but  also  produced,  under  judicious  man- 
agement, from  every  thing  in  the  shape  of  decompos- 
able material  thit  can  be  gathered  up  about  the  place. 
And  if  due  attention  is  given  to  collecting'  together  all 
waste  material  —  litter,  leaves,  weeds,  and  the  like  — 
and  stacking  them  in  alternate  layers  with  fresh  loam, 
or  road-scrapings,  the  result  will  Le  a  handsome  lot  of 
uniform,  fine  compost.  It  should  always  be  built  up 
in  layers,  each  layer  spread  out  so  as  to  cover  the  pre- 
ceding layer  uniformly;  which  will  secure  compost  of 
even  quality.  It  should  be  protected  from  washing  or 
leaching  by  a  rough  covering  of  boards,  so  placed  as 
to  shed  the  rains. 

Occasional  layers  of  fresh  dung,  doses  of  lime  and 
ashes,  and  drenching  the  mass  from  time  to  time  with 
liquid  manure,  will  enable  the   proper  fermentation. 


46  Market  Gardening. 

There  are  innumerable  ways  of  increasing  the  bulk 
and  enhancing  the  qualit}^  of  the  compost  heap,  which 
can  best  be  mastered  by  the  study  of  any  good  manual 
on  the  subject ;  and  we  do  not  aim  here  at  supersed- 
ing any  of  theje  treatises.  Our  object  is  mainly  to 
call  attention  to  this  means  of  utilizing  all  manner  of 
decomposable  trash,  and  converting  it  into  valuable 
plant  food.  There  is  an  old  saying,  that  "  anything 
that  grows  in  one  summer  will  decay  before  the  next ;  " 
and  this  hint  maybe  profitable  as  a  guide  in  collect- 
ing vegetable  matter  for  the  compost  heap. 

The  presence  of  the  loam,  or  loamy  mixtures,  in  the 
heap  is  quite  important.  It  has  been  said  that  where 
sods,  muck  and  weeds  form  a  part  of  the  mass,  it  is 
not  alone  the  vegetable  matter  which  has  been  brought 
in  that  constitutes  a  mater.'al  addition  ;  perhaps  it  is 
not  even  the  principal  one.  There  is  always  consid- 
erable earth  adhering.  "  Tne  fermentation,  induced 
by  the  dung  and  liquid  man.ire  and  the  action  of  the 
lime  or  ashes  added,  works  upon  the  earth  adhering  to 
the  roots  and  forming  a  considerable  part  both  of 
sods  and  muck ;  and  develops  an  admirable  quality  of 
plant  food."  Hence  this  element  of  the  compost  heap, 
which  is  generally  overlooked  as  unimportant,  should 
never  be  wanting  —  instead  of  diluting,  it  in  reality 
reinforces  the  other  manurial  elements. 

Liquid  manure  is  seldom  at  hand  in  large  quanthies, 
and  not  much  advance  has  been  made  in  using  it 
directly  upon  the  land  under  crop.  When  this  is  done, 
it  should  be  in  a  very  diluted  state.  Even  if  so  much 
diluted  that  it  seems  to  run  perfectly  clear,  it  may  still 


Liquid  Majiurcs — Comparative  Values.  47 


be  found  sufficiently  strong  ;  if  too  strong  its  use  would 
be  injurious  rather  than  helpful,  and  might  often 
destroy  a  crop  entirely.  There  is  far  more  danger  of 
jrettins:  it  too  strong  than  of  making  it  too  weak.  It 
may  be  doubted,  indeed,  whether  the  diluting  element, 
v/ater,  is  not,  at  least,  an  equal  cause  of  the  fertility 
which  sometimes  attends  its  use,  when  directly  applied. 
The  result  either  of  watering  or  liquid  manuring  will 
be  less  favorable  in  a  cool  season  than  in  a  hot  one  ; 
owing  to  the  reduc'.ioa  of  temperature  occasioned  by 
wet  applications  to  the  soil. 

A  way  of  procunng  liquid  manure — convenient 
when  a  small  quantity  only  is  required  —  is  to  leach 
solid  stable  manure  as  ashes  are  leached  for  obtaining 
Ive.  For  special  results,  solutions  of  specific  commer- 
cial fertilizers  are  valuable,  and  are  easily  made.  For 
instance,  liquid  nitrate  of  soda  is  obtained  by  dissolving 
one  povmd  of  the  nitrate  in  twelve  gallons  of  water. 
It  is  beneficial  to  all  garden  crops,  though  particularly 
recommended  for  grass  plats  —  but  its  chief  value  to 
the  vegetable  grower  is  as  a  destroyer  of  slugs  and 
other  garden  pests. 

The  most  valuable  liquid  manure  is,  however,  the 
urine  of  stabled  animals,  which  when  not  allowed  to 
run  to  waste  is  ordinarily  taken  up  by  absorbents  kept 
under  the  animals,  in  the  stalls  or  in  the  cellar  beneath 
them.  Sometimes,  however,  it  is  conducted  by  natural 
flow  in  gutters  and  pipes  to  a  tank  from  which  it  may 
be  pumped.  It  is  very  valuable,  more  so  than  the 
solid  excrement  from  the  same  animals;  and  more 
effectual  means  of  saving  and  applying  it  than  those 


48  Market  Gardening. 

now  generally  practised  will  doubtless  soon  come  into 
use.     In  applying  it  directly  to  the  soil  amongst  grow- 
ing  plants  it  requires,  as  already  said,  to  be  greatly 
diluted.     Small  amounts  pumped  at  intervals  over  the  - 
compost  heap  promote  fermentation. 

In  purchasing  manure,  preference  should  be  given  to 
that  of  grain-fed  animals.  The  value  of  all  animal 
excrement  depends  more  on  the  character  of  the  food 
consumed  than  on  the  kind  of  animal.  But  it  is  con- 
venient to  know  the  average  composition  of  the  solid 
droppings  of  different  animals,  and  the  following  data  ^ 
have  recently  appeared  in  the  Gardener's  Monthly. 
The  excrement  standing  highest  in  value  is  sheep  dung 
(this  not  being  obtainable  in  our  vicinity,  we  give  its 
analysis  merely  for  comparison).  It  contains  in  100 
parts,  of  water,  68.71;  azotized  matter,  23.16;  saline, 
8.13.  Horse  manure  consists  of  water,  75.31;  geine, 
or  organic  matter,  20.67  ;  salts,  4.02.  (The  geine  is 
composed  of  —  carbon,  9.56  ;  hydrogen,  1.26;  oxygen, 
9.31 ;  and  nitrogen  0.54.)  Cow  manure  contains,  geine, 
15.45  ;  salts,  0.95  ;  water,  83.60.  Contrary  to  tne  gen- 
eral idea,  that  of  the  horse  outranks  that  of  the  cow. 

The  list  of  materials  available  to  the  gardener  and 
cultivator  for  enriching  the  soil  comprises  the  fol- 
lowing principal  items :  the  animal  manures  (like  those 
whose  analysis  has  been  given),  fish,  bones  of  animals, 
lime,  gypsum,  wood  ashes,  common  salt,  soot,  peat- 
earth,  seaweeds,  malt  dust,  rape-cake  and  linseed- 
cake,  green  succulent  plants,  and  commercial  fertilizers. 
Much  has  recently  been  added  to  the  stock  of  gen- 
eral information  on  the  nature  and  action  of  manures. 


Application  of  Mamircs.  49 

All  the  more  the  subject  is  one  which  demands  con- 
stant study  and  retiection  on  the  part  of  the  practical 
cultivator.  In  view  of  the  ^reat  variety  of  conditions 
presenting  themselves,  it  often  seems  next  to  impossi- 
ble for  him  to  select  from  the  mass  of  available  matter 
the  points  likely  to  be  of  assistance  to  him.  Yet  by 
diligent  reading,  and  carefully  discriminating  what  he 
reads,  he  will  soon  begin  to  feel  the  benefit  of  combin- 
ing the  experience  of  others  with  that  which  he  gair.s 
for  himself,  and  will  find  that  the  former  is  by  far  the 
less  costly  of  the  two.  On  this  general  topic  of 
manures,  many  well  written  works  may  be  found  in 
most  libraries.  We  recommend  for  reading,  once  and 
again,  till  its  contents  become  thoroughly  familiar, 
Harris'  "  Talks  on  Manures,"  published  six  or  eight 
years  ago.  Its  stvle  is  varied  and  interesting,  and  the 
matter  is  highly  instructive.  Every  farmer  should  use 
this,  or  some  equivalent  book,  as  a  constant  reference 
and  guide  in  providing  and  applying  manures  ;  and 
there  is  no  other  book  that  we  know  of  which  presents 
this  subject  so  clearly  and  intelligibly,  and  at  the  same 
time  in  such  an  interesting  manner — almost  every 
page  is  as  readable  as  a  story. 

Application  of  Manures, 

Further  general  suggestions  on  this  subject  might 
seem  to  some  almost  unnecessary,  but,  nevertheless, 
this  is  an  important  part  of  market-garden  work,  and 
well  worthy  of  attentive  study.  As  garden  crops,  to 
be  of  marketable  quality,  require  to  be  grown  quickly, 
it  is  plainly  requisite  that  the  land  be  brought  into  the 


50  .     Market  Gardening, 

best  possible  condition  to  begin  with,  and  then  that 
the  artificial  fertilizers  or  further  manurings,  whatever 
they  may  be,  should  be  applied  in  such  a  way  that  the 
growing  crops  can  readily  reach  and  take  up  this  sup- 
plementary nourishment. 

In  what  has  been  said  on  Preparation  of  the  Soil,  w^e 
have  included  many  detailed  directions  for  applying 
manures  to  the  soil,  and  amongst  them  have  recom- 
mended having  the  land  ploughed  once  in  advance  of 
the  first  application  of  the  manure.  This  gives  a 
chance  for  the  manure  (especially  if  it  is  a  little 
coarse)  to  be  worked  into  the  soil  more  thoroughly  by 
the  second  ploughing  than  it  otherwise  would.  How- 
ever, except  in  comparatively  few  instances,  the  pres- 
ence of  coarse  manure  is  a  serious  impediment  and 
disadvantage  in  the  process  of  cultivation.  It  should 
be  in  a  fine  state,  reduced  to  tliis  condition  by  slowly 
conducted  previous  fermentation,  and  should  be  very 
thoroughly  intermixed  with  the  soil. 

Of  course,  as  already  said,  it  is  very  important  that 
market-garden  crops  be  grown  quickly,  and  right  here 
13  the  reason  why  quick-growing  crops  require  more 
manure  than  others  that  take  a  whole  season  to  com- 
plete their  growth :  it  is  because  the  latter  have  more 
time  in  which  to  feel  about  and  collect  their  necessary 
nourishment  from  the  soil  and  atmosphere;  but  the 
former  must  have  their  food  in  abundance,  and  it  must 
be  placed  within  easy  reach  of  th^  feeding  roots,,  or 
there  will  be  a  most  decided  shortage  in  the  result. 

There  are  great  differcncci  in  the  requirements  of 
the  various  crops^  and  no  set  rule  can  be  given  that 


Fcrtiiizing  Land  ::udcr  Crop. 


will  be  adapted  for  regulating  the  quantity  of  manure 
to  be  applied  to  all  crops  and  on  all  soils.  Some  spe- 
cific instructions  for  special  cases  appear  in  the  fol- 
lowing pages. 

Where  but  one  crop  per  year  is  to  be  taken  from 
land  which  is  already  in  fairly  good  condition,  ten  or 
twelve  cords  per  acre  of  well  decomposed  manure 
would  be  considered,  ordinarily,  as  a  sufficient  supply  ; 
but  o\\  land  to  be  double-cropped,  twenty  cords  would 
be  none  too  much.  This  should  be  ploughed  in  lightly, 
so  as  to  be  left  lying  near  the  surface. 

If  the  first  ploughing  should  be  done  in  the  fall,  the 
manure  can  be  applied  then,  and  remain  lying  out  on 
the  surface  until  spring,  as  it  does  not  lose  by  so 
doing.  During  a  dry  season,  unless  the  land  can  be 
properly  irrigated  or  watered,  a  crop  will  manifestly  be 
unable  to  draw  the  proper  amount  of  nourishment  from 
the  soil,  since  all  plant  food  of  every  description  has 
to  be  not  merely  in  a  soluble  form  but  actually  in  solu- 
tion before  it  can  be  taken  up  and  assimilated  by  the 
plants.  For  this  reason  it  is  becoming  necessan,-.  in 
view  of  the  continually  recurring  droughts,  to  provide 
effectual  means  of  irrigation. 

Sometimes,  however,  a  crop  comes  to  a  stand-still  by 
reason  of  having  exhausted  all  the  fertilizing  matter 
contained  in  the  soil,  of  a  sort  available  to  its  require- 
ments; and  in  such  instances  the  trained  eye  of  the 
practical  gardener  can  usually  detect  what  is  lacking 
for  the  crop  ;  and  he  may  supply  the  need  by  an  appli- 
cation of  some  specific  commercial  fertilizer.  It  would 
be  difficult  to  explain  to  a  wholly  unexperienced  per- 


52  Market  Gai^dcning. 

son  just  how  to  detect  the  wants  of  the  crops,  but  a 
little  acquaintance  with  their  normal  habits  of  growth 
will  speedily  teach  one  what  he  needs  to  observe. 

It  is  imperative,  even  in  an  economical  view,  where 
a  crop  is  checked  in  growth  from  want  of  fertilizing 
matter,  that  some  quick-acting  fertilizer  be  promptly 
applied,  for  upon  the  question  of  a  few  dollars'  expend- 
iture at  this  crisis  may  depend  all  the  difference  be- 
tween a  crop  and  no  crop.  Whenever  the  need  of  such 
an  application  occurs,  it  is  better  to  sow  the  fertilizer 
broadcast  than  to  place  it  directly  on  the  hill  and 
about  the  plant ;  and  the  labor  of  applying  it  is  less. 
Liquid  manure  may  be  applied  by  the  process  already 
described  for  irrigating,  in  a  furrow  opened  about  a 
foot  from  the  row  ;  more  or  less,  according  to  the 
growth  the  plants  have  made. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Selection*  of  Seeds — Their  Vitality — Seed-Grow- 
ing— Sowing  the  Seed^Cultivation  of  Crops 
— Construction  and  Care  of  Hot-beds — Gath- 
ering THE  Crops  —  Capital  and  Labor  In- 
volved. 

PERHAPS  we  might  truthfully  say  that  the  most 
important  of  all  points  in  gardening  is  the  right 
selection  of  seeds  ;  for  without  good  seed  the 
care  and  expense  devoted  to  selecting  and  fitting  the 
land,  or  procuring  and  using  implements,  fertilizers, 
etc.,  is  all  bestowed  in  vain. 

By  good  seed,  we  not  only  mean  such  as  will  ger- 
minate properly,  but  such  as  is  true  to  name,  and  of  the 
very  best  selected  strains.  And  it  is  proper  in  this 
connection  to  say  that  no  one  need  expect  to  get  seed 
such  as  we  have  spoken  of  at  such  absurdly  low 
prices  as  much  cheap  stuff  is  sold  for.  Better  to  p^y 
twice  the  market  price  for  an  article  that  is  firs.-cbss 
in  every  respect  than  have  poor  trash,  even  if  to  be 
had  as  a  gift. 

Always  look  for  quality  first;  and  when  satisfied  in 
this  respect  pay  the  price,  if  it  is  anywise  reasonable; 
for  you  must  remember  that  these  extra  strains  have 
cost  an  air.oMnt  of  labor  and  expense  in  f;;ro'Ainj  t'lem 

53 


54  Market  Gardening, 

largely  beyond  that  required  by  common-grown  £to:k. 

Of  course,  as  we  have  already  said,  it  is  always  im- 
portant, and  in  some  degree  ecssntial,  that  none  but 
the  best  seed  be  used  ;  but  with  some  crops  this  is  most 
especially  necessary,  and  a  neglect  will  result  in  the 
most  disastrous  kind  of  a  failure.  Take,  for  instance, 
either  cabbage,  cauliflower,  or  celery.  These  are  veg' 
etables  with  regard  to  which  the  greatest  care  has  to 
be  exercised',  to  procure  the  proper  kind  of  seed  stock. 
Also  with  onions,  lettuce,  and  cucumbers  this  is  no 
less  important. 

It  may  be  well  to  add,  while  on  this  point,  that  there 
is  more  than  one  advantage  in  purchasing  your  seed 
supply  early  in  the  season,  and  before  the  spring  rush 
comes  on.  By  so  doing  you  are  enabled  to  get  the 
best  that  there  is  in  stock,  as  the  supplies  have  not 
then  been  greatly  drawn  upon  ;  and  by  attending  to 
the  matter  before  every  one  is  driven  with  orders  you 
have  a  better  chance  to  make  your  selections,  and  of 
avoiding  mistakes. 

It  is  quite  important,  unless  you  can  rely  absolutely 
upon  the  dealer  from  whom  you  purchase,  to  employ 
some  means  of  testing  the  quality  of  seeds.  Some 
have  recommended  as  the  speediest  way,  though  not 
altogether  a  sure  one,  putting  a  few  on  top  of  a  hot 
stove ;  such  as  -are  good  will  crack  like  corn  in  parch- 
ing ;  the  bad  will  burn  without  noise  and  with  very  lit- 
tle motion.  A  more  reliable  way  is  to  place  a  little 
cotton-wool  or  moss  in  a  tumbler  containing  water, 
and  let  it  stand  in  a  warm  room  while  the  experiment 
is  in  progress.     Place  the  seeds   to  be  tecled  on  the 


Vitality  of  Seeds,  55 

wool  or  moss  so  arranged,  and  they  will  germinate 
sooner  than  they  would  in  ordinary  planting.  The 
proportion  ol  bad  seed  —  that  is,  of  seed  which  has 
lost  its  vitality  —  will  be  recognized  in  this  way  ;  but  as 
regards  the  quality  of  the  strain  and  whether  they  are 
true  to  name,  there  caxi  be  no  proof  or  guarantee 
in  advance  of  the  crop  they  bring,  except  procuring 
them  from  a  dealer  who  is  recognized  as  reliable,  and 
who  knows,  himself,  what  he  is  selling. 

ViTALtTV  OF  Seeds* 

As  regards  the  period  for  which  seeds  may  be  kept 
without  destroying  or  seriously  impairing  their  vitality, 
this  varies  with  different  seeds.  Opinion  varies  also 
as  to  the  time  which  may  be  assigned  as  the  limit  in  the 
case  of  each  separate  kind.  It  is  ordinarily  thought,  and 
perhaps  it  is  safest  to  hold  as  a  general  rule,  that  the 
seeds  which  mature  in  one  season  are  the  best  for  next 
year's  planting.  However,  seeds  of  good  original 
vitality  may  be  expected  to  germinate  freely,  if  properly 
cared  for,  at  i^eriods  after  maturity  not  greater  than 
shown  in  the  table  on  the  following  page. 

We  ha\e  to  remark  here  that  the  duration  of  the 
germinating  power  of  seed^  depends  very  materially 
upon  the  circumstances  under  which  they  have  been 
harvested  and  kept.  Nothing  has  a  greater  tendency 
to  destrov  it  than  the  influence  of  dampness  and  heat ; 
owing  to  which  causes  it  often  occurs  that  good  seed, 
purchased  from  dealers  in  whom  reliance  can  be  placed, 
and  kept  not  a  great  while  on  hand,  fails  to  come  up. 
Thus  far  no  better  method  is  known  for  keeping  seeds 


56 


Market  Gardeiiiiig. 


in  good  condition  till  wanted  than  putting  them  in 
linen  bags  and  storing  in  a  dry,  moderately  cool,  and 
well  ventilated  place. 

Any  seeds,  of  which  the  germinating  power  continues 
active  for  five  years,  on  an  average,  do  not  entirely 
lose  it  after  the  lapse  of  ten  years  or  more.  In  this 
class  are  included  most  of  the  seeds  sown  in  the 
market  garden — those  which  possess  a  less  degree  of 
vitality  are  Corn,  Dandelion,  Leek,  Onion,  Okra,  Peas, 
Parsnip,  Parsley,  Radish,  Salsify,  and  Spinach. 

LENGTHS  OF  TIME  FOR  WHICH   DIFFERENT  SEEDS  RETAIN 
THEIR    VITALITY. 


Artichoke 

5  years. 

Kohl-rabi 

.     .     7  years. 

Asparagus 

4     " 

Leek     . 

.        .        2        '' 

Beans   .     .     . 

5     " 

Lettuce 

•     •     5     " 

Beets    .     .     . 

5     " 

Melon 

•     •     7     " 

Broccoli    .     . 

5     " 

Onion 

.       .       2        " 

Brussels  Sprouts 

,    7     " 

Okra     . 

.     •     3     " 

Cabbage    .     . 

7     '' 

Peas      . 

.     .     4     " 

Carrot  .     .     . 

5     " 

Parsnip 

.     .      I      " 

Cauliflower    . 

7     " 

Pumpkin 

•     •     7     " 

Celery  .     .     . 

.     8     " 

Parsley 

•     •     3     " 

Corn     .     .     . 

2        " 

Radish 

.     .     3     " 

Cucumber 

.     12        " 

Salsify  . 

.       .       2        " 

Dandelion 

•     3     " 

Spinach 

.     .     3     " 

Egg-plant  .     . 

•     7     " 

Squash 

•     •     7     " 

Endive       .     . 

•     9     " 

Tomato 

•     •     5     " 

Kale     .     .     . 

5     " 

Turnip . 

•     •     5     •' 

The  general  rule  above  s 

uggested,  g 

iving  preference 

to  last  year's  seed,  has  som 

e  exceptior 

is.     Plants  such 

as  melons,  cucui 

nbers,  and 

squashes  (tl 

^.ough  they  grow 

Seed  Growing — Selection  of  the  Best.     5  7 

vines  most  vigorously  from  fresh  seeds)  are  thought 
to  set  and  mature  their  fruit  better  when  grown  from 
that  which  is  older.  Beans  are  included  by  some  in 
the  same  category. 

Seed  Growing. 

Every  one  who  makes  market  gardening  a  business 
is  obliged  to  raise  at  least  a  portion  of  the  seed  which 
he  plants  ;  and  in  order  to  do  this  successfully,  as  re- 
gards its  vigor  and  productiveness,  and  so  as  to  obtain 
the  choicest  of  each  kind,  great  pains  must  be  taken 
in  the  selection  and  care  of  the  seed  stocks. 

In  selecting  the  stocks  from  which  the  seed  is  to  be 
saved,  the  very  best  of  the  season  should  always  be 
taken.  Particular  rows,  or  even  individual  plants  in 
different  parts  of  the  held,  must  be  marked  and 
reserved  for  the  purpose;  and  although  this  is  very 
expensive  and  tedious  it  is  the  only  safe  and  satisfac- 
tor)'  way.  By  so  doing  the  stock  is  constantly  improv- 
ing year  by  year  ;  while,  if  the  product  of  the  whole 
field  is  saved  for  seed,  as  is  done  by  many  seed  growers, 
there  must  be  more  or  less  deterioration. 

Owing  to  the  differences  in  climate,  some  kinds  of 
seeds  can  be  grown  to  much  better  advantage  in  local- 
ises other  than  our  own  ;  and,  although  most  of  the 
seeds  which  are  planted  in  our  market  gardens  can  be 
grown  successfully  in  America,  there  are  a  few  among 
the-e  which  can  be  raised  to  far  better  advantage  in 
foreign  countries.  No  doubt,  one  reason  for  this  is 
that  these  countries  enjoy  a  climate  much  more  equable 
than  curii — a  condi'.ion  which  is   more   favorable  fcr 


58  Market  Gardening, 

all  crops,  and  renders  the  results  of  cultivation  much 
more  reliable. 

The  cauliflower,  in  particular,  has  a  seed  which  can- 
not be  grown  with  any  certainty  in  this  country ;  while 
foreign  growers  are  almost  as  certain  of  a  crop  as  we 
are  with  cabbage. 

Although,  in  the  case  of  many  of  the  seeds  which 
are  produced  by  market  gardeners,  through  careful 
selection,  in  the  manner  described,  one  could  often 
purchase  his  supply  from  dealers  for  one-half  what  it 
costs  him  to  produce  it  himself,  the  quality  of  his 
own  selected  stock  ma\'  be  more  than  enough  better  to 
make  up  the  difference  in  cost.  I  have  raised  vege- 
tables in  such  large  quantities  that  I  have  been  induced 
to  grow  my  own  seed,  to  a  great  extent,  and,  having 
often  had  a  surplus,  have  supplied  my  neighbors  ;  and 
my  trade  in  seeds,  commencing  in  this  way,  has  con- 
stantly increased  from  the  beginning,  until  I  have 
been  finally  obliged  to  open  a  seed  store  in  the  city, 
for  the  convenience  of  my  many  customers. 

Of  course,  I  do  not  by  any  means  profess  to  grow 
all  the  seeds  I  catalogue  ;  but  there  are  several  kinds 
which  I  can  and  do  grow  very  succassfully,  and  which 
I  have,  by  years  of  careful  selection,  greatly  improved. 
Of  these  seeds  I  grow  all  that  I  sell  ;  and,  in  order  to 
distinguish  them  from  the  common  strains,  I  have 
designated  them  as  "  Arlington-grown  "  seeds.  I  do 
not  profess  to  sell  these  seeds  at  any  such  low  prices 
as  seeds  of  the  same  varieties  can  often  be  bought  for, 
elsewhere,  from  dealers  who  buy  up  their  stock  here 
ar.d  there,  cf  any  on2  from  v/hom  they  can  purchase 


So'wi7ig  the  Seed — Cei^taiii  Reqitiremenls.  59 

cheapest.  Any  one  who  will  give  the  matter  a  mo- 
ment's thought  will  see  that  I  cannot  compete  in  price 
with  these  cheap  grades  of  seeds. 

It  is  a  false  view  of  economy  that  leads  any  one  to 
purchase  cheap  seed,  —  for  a  few  dollars  saved  in  the 
beginning  may  make  a  shortage  of  one^half,  or  more,  in 
the  crop.  I  have  always  made  it  a  practice  when  pur- 
chasing seed  for  my  own  use  (of  such  varieties  as  I  do 
not  raise,  and  so  have  been  obliged  to  buy),  to  secure 
the  best^  regardhss  of  cost,  and  have  always  found  this 
to  pay.  Quality,  not  price,  is  the  chief  point  to  look 
to  in  purchasing  seed. 

The  same  rule  applies  to  the  case  of  the  seed- 
grower  producing  seeds  either  for  his  own  use  or  for 
sale  —  the  expense  of  the  process  must  be  disregarded, 
and  the  excellence  of  the  product  made  the  prims 
consideration.  All  seeds  should  be  gathered  as  soon 
as  they  mature  —  for  exposure  to  the  weather  is  injuri- 
ous to  their  power  of  vegetating  when  planted.  They 
should  be  dried  in  the  shade,  and  in  a  warm  place, 
but  not  where  they  will  be  affected  by  the  direct  heat 
of  the  fire. 

Sowing  the  Seed. 

In  the  preparatory  stages 'of  the  work  of  raising  a 
crop,  all  the  points  we  have  included  above  are  of  vital 
importance  a  d  need  close  attention.  The  successful 
germination  of  the  seed,  no  matter  how  carefully  the 
sowing  may  be  done,  must  depend  largely  upon  the 
condition  of  the  ground;  But,  on  the  other  hand,  it  is 
no  less  true  that,  unless  the  seed  is  carefully  and  ju- 
diciously plrxed  in  the  ground,  and  properly  covered, 


6o  Market  Gardcnmg. 

the  crop  cannot  get  a  good  start,  no  matter  how  well 
the  land  has  been  prepared  or  how  good  the  seed  is. 

It  is  far  better,  when  possible,  to  put  seed  into  fresh- 
ly prepared  soil,  as  it  is  sure  to  get  a  better  start  than 
on  land  which  has  been  turned  over  long  enough  to 
have  become  crusty  and  lumpy  on  the  surface.  Again, 
it  is  preferable,  when  possible,  to  sow  seed  immediately 
r.fter  a  rain  rather  than  just  before  it  comes ;  since,  in 
the  case  of  the  finer  seeds,  more  especially,  the  crust 
which  begins  to  form  on  all  garden  soils  immediately 
after  a  lain  will  partly  shut  out  the  air  and  will  tend 
to  prevent  free  germination.  Where  one  encounters 
the  misfortune  of  a  heavy  fall  of  rain  occurrhig  just 
after  the  planting  of  a  field  or  bed,  it  will  be  well  to 
go  over  the  ground  wath  rakes,  and  break  the  crust; 
and  such  treatment  may  make  a  difference  of  fifty  per 
cent,  in  the  stand  obtained. 

With  seed  having  a  thick  husk,  like  squash,  cucum- 
ber, or  melon,  it  is  obviously  of  peculiar  importance 
that  the  soil  be  in  just  the  right  condition  —  in  order 
to  be  sure  that  sufficient  moisture  and  air  may  reach 
the  seed  —  much  more  than  wiih  thin-husked  kinds 
that  germinate  quickly,  like  cabbage,  turnip,  and  rad- 
ish ;  but,  still,  even  these  finer  seeds  need  the  most 
vigilant  attention  and  the  utmost  care  that  can  be 
given  in  sowing  them,  to  secure  the  best  results. 

In  sowing  the  seed  of  beets,  squashes,  and  parsnips, 
and  also  peas,  beans,  and  all  similar  seeds,  it  is  neces- 
sary also  to  plant  deeper  thtm  the  finer  seeds,  from 
the  fact  that  the  husk  is  thicker,  a!:d  it  requires  more 


Cultivation  Diivi:ig  Growth.  6i 

Most  of  the  finer  seeds  are  sown  by  machine,  at 
different  distances  apart,  and  likewise  at  different 
depths,  varying,  according  to  the  kind,  from  one-fourth 
of  an  inch  to  one  inch ;  being  governed  partly  by  the 
size  of  the  seed,  and  also  by  the  season  of  the  year. 
Seed  put  in  during  the  hot,  dr\-  weather  of  summer 
must,  for  obvious  reasons,  be  covered  a  little  deeper 
than  early  in  spring,  when  the  ground  is  moist  enough 
for  their  speedy  germination,  even  if  ver\'  near  the 
surface. 

Cultivation  of  Crops. 

After  the  seed  that  we  have  sown  has  come  up,  the 
frequent  stirring  of  the  soil  will  prove  beneffcial.  It 
is  no^  generally  necessary  to  caution  any  one  against 
stirring  the  soil  too  frequently,  still  this  may,  not  im- 
possiblv,  be  sometimes  overdone,  at  least  as  regarded 
from  a  financial  point  of  view. 

Following  a  rain,  and  after  the  land  is  dried  suffi- 
ciently to  be  in  good  working  condition,  is  the  best 
possible  time  for  giving  the  soil  a  thorough  stirring ; 
for  then  it  will  be  left  in  a  fresh,  lively  condition,  that 
will  give  the  growing  crop  a  surprising  start. 

It  may  be  well  to  note  here  that  it  is  not  profitable 
to  stir  the  soil  when  it  is  too  wet,  or  to  hoe  crops  when 
they  are  dripping  with  water,  as  some  people  do ; 
even  cabbages,  celery,  and  turnips  are  not  benefited, 
if  indeed  they  escape  serious  injury,  under  such  treat- 
ment. 

In  cultivating  crops  of  any  description,  in  is  neces- 
sar)-  to  bear  in  mind  that,  when  they  are  young  and 


62  Market  Gardening. 

growing  rapicll}',  it  will  be  proper  to  cultivate  deeper 
and  nearer  to  the  plants  than  at  a  later  stage,  when 
growth  is  not  so  rapid.  At  the  later  stage,  such  active 
cultivation  would  have  a  tendency  to  ripen  off  the 
crop,  rather  than  promote  its  growth. 

During  a  dry  season,  or  a  period  of  extended  drought, 
the  more  frequently  the  soil  is  stirred  around  a  growing 
crop  the  better ;  as  the  loosening  up  of  the  surface 
soil  will  draw  the  moisture  from  below  upwards,  within 
reach  of  the  feeding  roots  of  the  plants,  and  thus  en- 
able them  to  absorb  it. 

In  the  case  of  any  crop  planted  in  rows,  it  is  a  good 
plan  to  stir  the  soil  and  cut  down  the  weeds,  im- 
mediately after  the  plants  come  up,  in  the  following 
manner:  Take  an  ordinary  A  harrow  and  remove  the 
front  tooth  ;  then  drive  along  each  row  of  plants,  keep- 
ing it  exactly  between  the  horses  and  central  to  the 
harrow.  This  harrowing  will  not  disturb  them  in  the 
least,  and  just  at  this  stage  will  promote  their  growth 
surprisingly.  The  weeds  of  course  will  not  be  exter- 
minated entirely,  but  their  first  early  growth  will  be 
effectually  destroyed,  and  they  will  more  easily  be  kept 
under  during  the  rest  of  the  season. 

Parasitic  insects  and  vegetable  parasites  (to  which 
latter  class  belong  smut,  blight,  mildew,  etc.)  cause 
heavy  losses  and  disappointments  to  all  cultivators  of 
the  land  both  on  farms  and  in  gardens.  The  more 
thrifty  the  habit  and  condition  of  the  plants,  the  less 
will  they  be  liable  to  such  ravages.  Thorough  and 
constant  cultivation  disturbs  and  destroys  the  larvae, 
reinforces  the  plant,  and  enables  it  to  withstand  para- 


Hozv  (o  Build  a  Hotbed.  63 

sitic  attacks,  botb  animal  and  vesretable,  to  2:ood  ad- 
vantage.  Further  suggestions  on  this  topic  scarcely 
belong  to  this  chapter,  but  will  be  given  later  in  the 
work. 

Construction  of  Hot-beds. 

For  a  location,  a  spot  facing  the  south,  with  a  slope 
in  that  direction,  is  the  most  desirable.  After  the  loca- 
tion has  been  selected,  a  fence  should  be  erected  six 
feet  high,  and  of  the  length  which  the  bed  is  to  be,  to 
serve  as  a  protection  from  the  wind,  and  as  a  support 
for  mats  and  shutters.  For  convenience,  the  fence  or 
wind-break  should  slant  back  a  little  from  the  bottom, 
—  about  one  foot :  it  will  then  form  a  better  support 
for  mats  and  shutters  when  leaned  against  it,  and  will 
be  much  more  convenient  in  working  around  the  beds. 

The  first  plank  should  be  set  about  three  and  a  half 
feet  from  the  base  of  the  fence,  and  should  be  two 
inches  thick  by  twelve  inches.  The  front  plank  should 
be  two  inches  narrower.  Place  the  back  plank  two  and 
a  half  inches  above  the  ground,  and  hold  in  place  by 
driving  stakes  at  the  end  and  middle.  Continue  the 
planking  in  this  manner  until  the  desired  length  is 
reached.  The  stakes  should,,  of  course,  be  nailed  to 
the  planks.  Place  the  front  plank  six  feet  from  the 
first,  and  sink  into  the  ground  so  that  the  upper  edge 
will  be  five  inches  lower  than  the  top  of  the  first,  which 
makes  a  slant  of  five  inches  to  carry  off  the  v^-ater. 
Continue  this  the  same  length  as  the  first,  and  you  will 
then  have  a  bed  six  feet  wide  and  of  the  desired 
length.     Shovel   out  the   loam  sufficient  to  bank  the 


64  Market  Gardeimig. 

planks  on  the  outside  about  half  the  height,  putting  in 
spreaders  to  keep  from  crowding  in.  Let  the  ground 
freeze  about  three  inches  deep,  then  cover  the  banking 
with  leaves  or  litter  to  keep  out  the  frost. 

Supplying  the  Heat. 

If  the  bed  is  for  lettuce,  throw  out  the  loam  on  the 
back  side  of  the  bed  to  the  depth  of  twenty-four  inches 
from  the  upper  edge  of  the  plank,  and  twenty-two 
inches  in  front,  and  of  the  length  required,  so  as  to 
make  room  for  the  manure.  Prepare  the  required  heat 
by  selecting  moderately  coarse  horse  manure  four  or 
five  days  before  using,  turning  it  once  or  twice.  A  horse- 
cart  load  containing  about  thirty-six  feet  is  sufficient  for 
a  bed  six  feet  square,  or  for  two  sashes,  the  depth  of 
the  manure  being  one  foot.  This  should  be  trodden 
down,  and  made  smooth  on  top ;  then  put  in  the  loam 
from  under  the  next  two  sashes,  cover  to  the  depth  of 
eight  inches,  and  continue  in  this  manner  as  far  as 
required ;  then  bring  the  loam  which  was  taken  from 
the  first  two  sashes,  and  put  it  under  the  last,  which 
completes  the  bed. 

For  heating  material,  various  articles  are  sometimes 
used,  such  as  hop  waste  from  the  breweries,  cotton 
waste,  etc. ;  but  where  fresh  horse  manure  can  be  ob- 
tained at  anything  like  reasonable  rates,  it  is  far  better, 
and,  all  things  considered,  is  actually  more  economical  ; 
as  the  manure  can,  of  course,  be  used  on  the  land 
after  it  has  served  its  purpose  in  the  beds  ;  and  it  is 
then,  as  ordinarily  considered,  worth  half  the  original 
cost.     Then,  too,  where  manure  is  used  the  ammonia 


Furnishing  and  Regulating  Heat,      65 

which  escapes  during  the  heating  process  is  of  great 
benefit  to  the  growing  crops,  while  from  other  material 
there  is  no  such  benefit  —  substantially  nothing  but 
the  heat  is  derived. 

Radishes  require  less  heat  than  lettuce,  just  as  a 
crop  of  young  cauliflower  or  cabbage  requires  less  heat 
than  tomatoes,  egg-plants,  or  others  of  a  tropical  nature. 
For  radishes,  a  cart-load  of  manure,  containing  thirty- 
six  feet,  would  be  sufficient  for  nine  feet  of  bed,  or 
three  sashes,  and  should  be  covered  by  one  foot  of 
loam.  For  forcing  cucumbers  more  heat  is  required 
than  for  lettuce,  according  to  the  season.  In  any  case, 
the  bed  should  stand  a  day  after  it  is  prepared,  to 
allow  the  soil  to  heat  through  ;  it  is  then  ready  for 
seeds  or  plants. 

The  quantity  of  heating  material  to  be  used  will  not 
however  depend  entirely  upon  the  crop  to  be  grown ; 
we  must  also  take  into  account  the  season  of  the  year 
when  it  is  to  be  started.  With  lettuce,  for  instance  :  if 
the  crop  were  to  be  planted  in  December,  a  foot  of 
fresh  manure  would  be  necessary  ;  while  in  February  or 
March  one-half  that  quantity  would  be  sufficient.  But 
for  such  tropical-natured  plants  as  tomatoes,  cucum- 
bers, or  egg-plants,  a  foot  of  heating  material  would  be 
none  too  much  at  any  season. 

A  crop  of  radishes  would  not  perhaps  require  quite 
as  much  heat  as  lettuce  during  the  winter  months ; 
still  it  would  need  about  the  quantity  stated  to  keep 
the  bed  properly  warm.  If  started  in  March,  no  strong 
bottom  heat  w^ould  be  required  ;  and  they  will  succeed 
well  on  second  heat,  such  as  is  in  a  bed  from  which  a 


66  Market  Gardenmg, 

crop  of  lettuce  or  other  vegetables  has  just  been  re- 
moved. In  this  case  the  crop  will  often  do  better 
than  when  sown  in  a  freshly  made  bed,  as  in  the  latter 
the  ammonia,  which  nevv^  heating  material  always  throws 
out,  would  have  a  tendency  to  drive  the  crop  too  much 
to  tops ;  which  is  not  what  is  wanted  with  root  crops. 

The  continuous  care  of  hot-beds  after  the  ciop  has 
been  started  forms  one  of  the  most  important  branches 
of  work  in  the  market  garden.  The  beds  require  to 
be  covered  and  uncovered  every  day,  and  constant 
attendance  and  vigilance  are  necessary  to  maintain  the 
proper  temperature.  The  amount  of  heat  to  be  .ainied 
at,  as  we  have  already  said,  depends  upon  the  crop. 

Lettuce  beds,  during  the  winter  months,  should  be 
be  kept  at  a  temperature  ranging  at  from  50°  to  70°. 
For  radishes  it  may  range  from  40°  to  60°;  while  for 
cucumbers  and  tomatoes  it  must  range  decidedly  higher, 
say  from  70°  to  90°,  or  even  100°. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year,  it  is  quite  a  serious  task 
for  a  man  to  take  charge  of  say  1,000  sashes,  with  a  half 
a  dozen  different  crops  under  them.  He  must  of 
course  have  a  thorough  understanding  of  their  require- 
ments in  respect  to  heat,  moisture,  and  a  variety  of 
other  conditions.  He  must  be  a  person  of  consider- 
able experience  or  he  cannot  be  qualihed  to  undertake 
the  entire  management  of  crops  so  cultivated.  It  will 
be  found  that  much  depends  on  their  receiving  the 
right  care,  and  always  just  at  the  right  time. 

If  the  first  crop  is  started  in  November  or  Decem- 
ber, and  the  beds  are  properly  handled,  three  and 
sometimes  even  four  crops  may  be    taken  from   the 


Gathermg  the  Crops.  67 

glass  each  season.  In  regard  to  the  amount  of  prod- 
uce that  can  be  taken  oil,  per  sash,  each  season,  of 
course  much  depends  on  skilful  management ;  but  if 
the  beds  are  properly  attended  to  (where  three  crops 
are  grown)  the  results  might,  ordinarily,  be  expected 
to  be  about  as  follows:  say  for  the  first  crop,  $2.50  ; 
for  the  second  crop,  $2.00;  and  the  third,  $1.50;  mak- 
ing a  total  of  $6.00  per  sash.  These  figures  are  of 
course  often  exceeded,  and  even  doubled ;  but  we  are 
now  giving  estimates  of  a  result  as  near  an  average  as 
possible. 

The  first  crop  embraced  in  the  foregoing  estimate 
would  be  lettuce,  four  dozen  to  each  sash,  at  62 ^wc. 
per  dozen.  The  next,  either  lettuce  or  radishes  ;  the 
third,  cucumbers,  which  would  be  put  under  the  glass 
about  the  first  of  April  and  begin  to  bear  June  ist. 
The  latter  crop  varies  in  price  according  to  the  season, 
some  years  averaging  as  high  as  three  dollars  per  sash; 
but  for  a  large  quantity,  a  cash  return  amounting  to  a 
dollar  and  a  half  per  sash  would  be  considered  by 
most  growers  as  reasonably  good- 

Harvesting  or  Gathering  the  Crops. 

In  market  gardening  the  term  "harvest"  cannot  be 
applied  as  it  was  in  olden  times  to  the  gathering  of 
the  grain  and  other  crops  in  the  fall  of  the  year.  Un- 
der modern  usages  there  is  no  real  season  of  harvest- 
ing, but,  on  the  contrary,  the  ''seed-time  and  harvest  " 
seasons,  both  of  them,  extend  the  whole  year  round. 

Much  experience  is  required  to  enable  one  to  know 
just  when   to  harvest   market-garden   crops,  and   this 


68  Market  Gardeniiig, 

does- not  always  or  solely  depend  on  their  stage  of  ma- 
turity. The  market  gardener  of  to-day  would  say  that 
the  time  to  harvest  a  crop  is  when  it  will  bring  the 
most  money.  Although  of  course  there  are  some  vege- 
tables that  cannot  be  gathered  until  they  are  ripe,  as 
otherwise  they  are  practically  worthless  —  such  as  mel- 
ons, celery,  and  cauliflower,  which  it  would  be  folly  to 
touch  until  they  had  reached  maturity  —  yet  also  there 
are  some,  like  beets,  lettuce,  spinach,  etc.,  which,  after 
reaching  a  certain  early  stage  of  growth,  can  be  mar- 
keted readily,  and  to  profit. 

In  crops  that  are  to  be  marketed  when  young  and 
tender,  it  is  plainly  of  vital  importance  to  have  expe- 
rienced hands  for  the  work,  as  such  articles  are  very 
easily  injured,  and  rendered  unsalable  by  careless 
handling  and  packing  for  transportation. 

The  same  considerations,  though  perhaps  less  ob- 
vious, are  equally  important  in  the  case  of  vegetables 
that  are  to  be  stored  for  the  winter.  These  also 
should  be  harvested  and  handled  with  care,  and  placed 
in  storage  only  when  dry  or  in  just  the  right  condition, 
for  their  keeping  qualities  must  largely  depend  on  their 
treatment  at  this  time. 

The  Amount  of  Capital  and  Labor  Required. 

Among  gardeners,  opinions  vary  as  to  the  area  that 
an  individual  may  wisely  include  in  his  plans.  Many 
have  an  idea  that  five  acres  of  land  will  be  enough; 
others  put  it  at  ten ;  while  it  is  known  that  some  culti- 
vate a  hundred  acres  or  more  at  a  profit.  The  amount 
of   capital   required   varies,  to   some   extent,  with   the 


Capital  Needed — Items  of  Expense.     69 

amount  of  land  cultivated,  but  not  in  a  uniform  pro- 
portion. 

While  it  might  require  about  $3,000,  with  the  labor 
of  three  men  and  two  horses,  to  properly  handle  two 
acres,  I  estimate  that  there  would  be  needed  about 
$5,000,  six  men,  and  three  horses  for  ten  acres  ;  and 
that  $20,000,  forty  men,  and  twenty  horses  would  be 
sufficient  for  one  hundred  acres. 

One  of  the  largest  and  most  indispensable  items  of 
original  outlay  is  in  providing  the  sashes;  these  cost, 
with  the  requisite  mats  and  shutters  to  go  with  them, 
about  S4.00  each,  of  which  about  $2. 50  ^s  paid  for  the 
sash,  and  the  balance  for  mats  and  shutters  to  cor- 
respond. 

A  very  important  item  of  annual  outlay  is  the  suppiv 
of  stable  manure.  This  will  cost,  at  present  prices, 
-delivered  on  the  place,  from  35.00  to  38. 00  per  cord, 
according  to  distance  from  the  cit}-  and  the  facilities 
for  obtaining  and  transporting  it. 

The  land  cultivated  may  be  the  gardener's  own,  or 
may  be  worked  under  a  lease.  In  the  latter  case,  the 
annual  rent  per  acre  is,  at  an  average,  say  $25.00  for 
highly  cultivated  land,  while  other  land  in  the  remoter 
suburbs,  and  not  in  as  good  condition,  might  be  had 
for  $10.00  per  year. 

There  may  doubtless  be  found  some  tracts  of  land 
under  cultivation  where  ordinary  interest  reckoned  on 
the  purchase  money  invested  would  amount  to  S200.00 
or  more  annually,  per  acre ;  but  these  are  of  course 
exceptional  cases. 

With  regard  to  the  expense  of  labor,  it  may  be  stated 


70  Market  Garde^iing. 

that  average  men  receive  about  $40.00  per  month,  or 
about  $1.50  per  day,  during  the  summer  season,  and 
about  $35.00  per  month,  or  $1.35  per  day,  during  the 
four  months  of  winter.  Of  course  skilled  laborers 
might  expect  to  receive  more,  but  to  obtain  it  they 
must  be  men  of  some  experience  and  natural  adaption 
to  the  \vor£.  The  business  is  one  in  which  men  of 
tact  and  experience  are  in  demand,  no  less  than  in  a 
manufacturing  or  mercantile  establishment. 

The  expense  of  keeping  the  work-horses,  including 
all  items,  would  amount  to  about  $150.00  on  each  ani- 
mal per  year.  The  tools  are  a  less  important  item  of 
expense,  and  yet  the  new  and  improved  implements  of 
the  present  date  are  quite  costly,  and  the  cultivation 
of  even  a  limited  amount  of  land  requires  quite  a 
number  of  them. 

By  looking  over  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that 
the  total  annual  expense  of  running  two  acres  of  land 
would  be  about  $2,500.  That  of  five  acres  would 
foot  up  about  $5,000  ;  of  ten  acres,  about  $8,000  ;  while 
a  hundred  acres  could  be  run  for  $25,000.  Many  peo- 
ple have  a  mistaken  idea  that  they  can  run  a  garden  of 
ten,  fifteen,  or  twenty  acres  on  a  capital  smaller  than 
is  really  requisite  to  properly  run  three  acres.  If 
one's  capital  is  limited,  it  is  far  better  to  proportionally 
reduce  the  amount  of  land  than  to  spread  over  too 
much  surface. 


PART   II. 


Dll|_ECT10NS/ND  DESCt|_lPT10NS  IN  DeT/L. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

Vegetables    Raised    for    Market  —  Characteris- 
tics —  Cultural   Directions. 

THE    ARTICHOKE  iCynara  Scolymus)  is  used 
extensively  in  Europe,  either  raw  as  a  salad  or 
boiled  and  served  after  the  manner  of  cabbage. 
It  may  also  be  blanched  somewhat  as  we  treat  endive 
—  that  is,  the  side  stalks  —  and  it  is  then  used  as  a 
salad. 

It  may  be  propagated  either  from  the  seed  or  by 
root  cuttings.  The  latter  is  the  best  and  most  con- 
venient plan;  the  offset  suckers  should  be  taken  in  the 
spring.  When  raised  from  seed,  let  them  be  sown  early 
in  the  spring,  say  at  the  time  of  the  tlowering  of  the 
peach,  in  drills  a  foot  apart,  and  four  inches  apart  in 
the  drills.  The  next  spring  transplant  to  permanent 
beds,  in  hills  three  feet  apart  each  way,  with  three 
plants  to  a  hill.  It  requires  a  deep,  rich  loam,  abound- 
ing in  moisture. 

As  the  plant  is  perennial,  one  planting  will  answer  for 
several  years.  No  winter  protection  will  be  required 
except  in  the  most  northern  States,  and  there  a  coat 
of  straw  or  leaves  will  suffice  to  insure  them  against 
winter  killing. 

The  Green  Globe    and  Common  Green,  which  are 


(I)     Jerusalem   Artichoke.         (2)     Burch  of  Asparagus, 

74 


yertisalem  Artichoke — Asparagus,     75 

much  alike,  are  the  varieties  we  have  had  in  mind  in 
writing  the  above,  but  there  is  another  variety,  called 
the  Jerusalem  Artichoke  {Helianthiis  tubcrosns),  which 
differs  from  these  in  the  fact  that  it  is  cultivated  for  its 
tubers,  which  are  pickled  like  cucumbers  or  eaten  raw 
sliced  as  a  salad.  They  are  planted  like  potatoes,  in 
hills  or  rov\'s,  and  will  produce  enormous  crops.  The 
tubers  make  excellent  feed  for  all  kinds  of  live  stock, 
being  the  richest  in  fat-producing  elements  of  any  of 
our  cultivated  roots.  Care  must  be  taken  at  the  time 
of  harvesting  to  remove  all  the  small  roots,  for  if  left 
in  the  ground  they  will  come  up  the  next  spring,  and 
may  become  a  troublesome  weed. 

Asparagus  {A.  officinalis)  is  a  peculiar  crop,  and 
generally  speaking  is  a  reliable  one.  The  fact  that 
it  takes  two  years  from  the  setting  if  two-year-old 
plants  are  set,  or  four  years  if  the  seed  is  sown,  pre- 
vents many  from  grov\-ing  it.  It  is  not  generally  grown 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Boston  or  other  large 
cities,  as  the  land  is  usually  too  valuable.  The  average 
proceeds  per  acre  are  moderate  ;  from  $200  to  S300, 

As  compared  with  other  crops,  it  is  a  good  one  to 
ship,  and  will  stand  up  well  for  quite  a  length  of  time. 

Asparagus  is  a  hardy,  perennial,  maritime  plant.  It 
may  be  grown  from  seed,  or  propagated  by  roots.  One 
ounce  of  seed  will  sow  about  fifty  feet  of  drill.  It  will 
thrive  on  almost  any  sandy  soil,  even  if  quite  light,  and 
the  lighter  the  soil,  other  things  being  equal,  the 
earlier  the  crop  may  be  got  off.  A  planting  once  prop- 
erly made  will  last  for  years.  A  fair  crop  may  be 
expected  the  third  year  from   the  seed,  or  in  one  or 


76  Market  Gardening. 

two  years  from  the  roots,  according  to  their  age  when 
planted,  and,  after  that,  full  crops  every  year. 

The  soil  for  this  crop  cannot  be  made  too  rich,  and 
should  be  thoroughly  trenched  two  feet  or  more  in 
depth.  The  plants  should  be  set  six  to  eight  inches 
deep,  in  rows  three  to  four  feet  apart,  and  one  foot 
apart  in  the  rows.  The  roots  should  be  set  in  the 
spring  as  soon  as  the  ground  is  in  good  working  order 
(they  can  be  set  in  the  fall,  but  the  spring  is  the  pref- 
erable time),  say  about  the  end  of  April.  The  crowns 
of  the  roots  should  be  from  four  to  six  inches  from  the 
surface  of  the  bed.  A  heavy  application  of  manure 
must  be  made  to  an  asparagus  bed  each  fall  —  say 
eight  or  ten  cords  per  acre.  This  should  be  lightly 
worked  into  the  soil  in  the  spring  :  a  very  light  surface- 
ploughing  will  accomplish  this  well,  if  carefully  done. 
Salt  is  an  excellent  thing  to  apply  for  a  dressing,  for, 
although  it  does  not  act  as  a  manure,  as  some  people 
think,  it  is  a  great  help  in  keeping  down  the  weeds. 

In  cutting  for  market,  the  cut  is  made  about  two 
inches  under  the  ground,  and  pains  are  taken  to  have 
the  stalks  about  eight  inches  long.  In  preparing  for 
market  a  buncher  is  used,  so  that  all  bunches  are  of 
exactly  equal  length  and  size.  From  twelve  to  twenty 
stalks  are  put  in  each  bunch,  according  to  the  size  of 
the  stalks.  They  bring,  on  an  average,  about  $1.50 
per  dozen  bunches,  still  the  price  varies  greatly  with 
different  seasons  and  depends  largely  on  the  supply  of 
peas  and  greens  that  may  be  in  the  market.  The 
season  for  cutting  usually  continues  about  five  weeks, 
and  the  plants  are  then  left  to  go  to  seed.     In  the  fall 


Dwarf  or  Bush  Beans,  jj 

these  seed  stalks  are  mown  down  and  the  refuse  is 
burned  off. 

The  varieties  are  numerous  and  differ  considerably. 
Conover's  Colossal  is  the  most  popular;  and  Moore's 
New  Giant  Cross-bred  is  now  attracting  much  attention. 

Beans  (Phaseolus  vulgaris.)  —  Dwarf  or  Bush  kinds. 
This  familiar  crop  flourishes  best  in  a  rather  light 
gravelly  soil ;    and  it  should  never  be  planted  in  ver)' 


4 

^^^-^. 


Early   Mohawk. 

heavy  land.  The  bush  beans  are  rather  more  hardy 
than  the  pole  varieties,  but  nevertheless  should  not  be 
planted  until  settled  weather;  say,  in  this  section,  about 
the  first  week  in  May.  Nothing  is  gained  bv  putting 
them  in  when  the  weather  is  cold,  or  the  land  damp 
and  soggy,  for  they  are  a  crop  that  never  recovers 
from  a  set-back  received  early  in  the  season. 

In  manuring  for  the  crop,  we  have  found  it  works 


78  Market  Gardening. 

well  to  give  the  land  a  fair  dressing  of  manure  (lightly 
worked  into  the  soil)  and  then  give  a  light  application 
of  some  good  fertilizer,  such  as  Sparrow's,  or  Eradlej's 
Phosphate,  in  the  drill  at  the  time  of  planting.  This 
seems  to  give  the  crop  a  quicker  and  better  start  than 
it  gets  where  manure  is  applied  directly  in  the  drill. 
The  distance  apart  for  the  rows  should  be  from  three  to 
three  and  a  half  feet,  and  the  seed  dropped  from  four 
to  six  inches  apart  in  the  drill  (which  should  be  from 
an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half  in  depth).  At  this  dis- 
tance apart  about  one  bushel  of  seed  would  be  re- 
quired per  acre,  where  all  the  land  is  devoted  to  the 
crop  ;  but  many  prefer  to  plant  every  fourth  row  with 
squash,  so  as  to  double-crop  the  land. 

A  fair  average  yield  per  acre  v/ould  be  from  three 
hundred  to  four  hundred  bushels  ;  and  the  crop  ought 
to  bring  from  seventy  cents  to  one  dollar  per  bushel. 
A  good  picker  should  pick  two  and  a  half  barrels  per 
day,  or  about  eight  bushels. 

After  the  crop  is  fairly  up,  the  cultivator  should  be 
run  through  lightly  ;  and,  at  the  second  hoeing,  a  little 
earth  should  be  drawn  towards  the  plants  to  support 
them.  They  should  never  be  hoed  or  worked  amongst, 
if  it  can  possibly  be  avoided,  at  times  when  they  are 
wet,  either  by  rain  or  dew,  as  there  is  much  danger  of 
rusting  or  blighting  the  crop. 

The  list  of  varieties  is  numerous  and  contains  many 
of  real  merit.  The  Early  Long  Yellow  Six  Weeks  is 
the  earliest  good  market  variety,  of  first-rate  quality 
and  excellent  in  every  respect.  Its  pods  are  green. 
The  Early  Mohawk  is  another  good  kind,  closely  re- 


Dwarf   Varieties  —  Pole  Beans.        79 

sembling  the  Six  Weeks  iu  habit.  It  is  nearly  or  quite 
as  early,  and  is  also  a  green-podder.  Dwarf  Yellow 
Cranberry  is  another  excellent  green-podded  variety, 
a  triile  later  than  the  above,  but  of  excellent  quality, 
and  is  a  favorite  snap  bean  for  the  market. 

Golden  Wax. — This  superb  variety  is  fast  becoming 
a  leadino^  sort,  both  for  the  market  and  home  irarden. 
It  is  certainly  the  very  best  wax  bean  in  cultivation. 
As  its  name  implies,  the  pods  are  of  a  rich  golden- 
yellow  ;  they  are  stringless  and  of  fine  flavor.  It  is 
very  productive  —  not  surpassed  in  this  respect. 
Black  Wax  resembles  the  Golden,  but  is  a  trifle  later. 
Pods  are  round  instead  of  flattened. 

The  Vriiite  Wax  is  waxen-podded,  very  tender,  and 
of  good  quality.  This  is  a  favorite  with  many  for  the 
home  garden.  The  Early  Valentine  is  undoubtedly 
an  excellent  variety,  of  a  tender  and  succulent  growth. 
It  is  not  very  much  cultivated  in  this  vicinity,  but  only 
because  it  happens  to  be  less  generally  known  here 
than  in  other  parts  of  the  country. 

The  Dwarf  Horticultural  is  the  standard  market  va- 
riety, and  is  the  leading  dwarf  Shell  Bean.  Pod  very 
plump  and  large,  streaked  with  bright  red.  The  God- 
dard  is  a  splendid  variety,  somewhat  later  than  the 
above  but  of  excellent  quality,  and  very  prolific.  The 
pods  are  of  a  brighter  red  than  the  Horticultural,  and 
the  yield  is  heavier. 

The  Pole  or  Running  kinds  are  less  hardy  than  the 
bush  varieties,  and  will  not  bear  planting  quite  as 
early.  From  about  the  middle  of  May  to  the  flrst 
of  June,  according  to  the  season,  is  about  ri:iht  with  us. 


8o 


Market  Gardening. 


They    should    invariably    be 

planted    in    hills  which    should 

be  about  three  feet  apart  with 

rows    four    feet    apart.       From 

five    to    six   seeds     should    be 

placed   in  each   hill,   with    the 

eye  downward  ;   and  should  be 

,    covered     to    about    the     same 

depth  as   is  directed  for  bush 

—  or    snap    beans.      A    quart    of 

seed  will  plant  a  hundred  and 

f.fty  hills  ;  the  poles  should  be 

set  at  the  time  of  planting. 

They  succeed  best  in  sandy 
loam,  which  should  be  liberally 
enriched  with  short  manure  in 
the  hills.  Three  plants  in  a  hill 
are  as  many  as  should  be  al- 
lowed to  grow,  and  with  the 
vigorous  growing  kinds  on 
strong  soil  it  is  better  to  have 
only  two.  The  thinning  should 
be  done  when  the  plants  have 
become  well  established.  They 
bear  transplanting  well,  and  this 
affords  a  means  of  filling  up 
around  the  poles  wherever  they 
miss  or  fail  to  come  up.  They 
can  also  be  started  in  frames 
and  transplanted  to  the  open 
ground,  so  as  to  secure  an  ad- 


Pole  Varieties — Scarlet  Runner — Lima.  8i 

vanced  stage  of  growth  and  earlier  maturity;  but  this 
is  not  extensively  practised. 

The  maturity  of  some  of  the  later  sorts  can  be  hast- 
ened by  nipping  off  the  tips  of  the  runners  when  they 
have  reached  a  height  of  four  or  five  feet. 

Red  Cranberry  is  an  excellent  variety,  of  good  qual- 
ity, productive  and  stringless.  The  pods  retain  their 
tender  and  palatable  quality  until  they  are  quite  enough 
grown  to  shell  beans.  As  a  shell  bean  it  is  good  while 
green ;  but  is  not  often  used  after  ripening  and  drying. 

White  Cranberry  is  very  similar  to  the  cbove  variety, 
but  not  quite  as  productive.  Some  prefer  it,  however, 
on  account  of  its  being  a  white  bean. 

Pole  Horticultural  has  perhaps  a  greater  combina- 
tion of  good  qualities  than  any  other  pole  variety.  It 
is  excellent  as  a  string  bean,  unsurpassed  for  shelling 
green,  and,  moreover,  is  one  of  the  best  varieties  On 
the  list  for  cooking  in  the  dry  state. 

Indian  Chief. — This  bean  is  remarkable  for  its  tender, 
succulent,  and  richly  colored  pods,  and  is  well  worthy 
a  place  in  every  garden.  It  is  a  very  productive  sort. 
The  pods  remain  tender  and  crisp  a  long  time.  The 
seeds  are  not  often  used  in  the  dry  state  —  in  fact,  as 
a  rule,  no  black  beans  are  used  dry — but  for  a  siring 
Pole  Bean  this  variety  has  no  superior. 

Scarlet  Runner  {P.  multijloriis)  is  rather  late,  and 
should  be  planted  as  early  as  possible.  In  this  country 
it  is  produced  mostly  as  an  ornamental  climbing  plant. 

Lima  Beans  (/l  lunatus)  are  very  tender,  and  should 
be  planted  after  the  ground  is  warm  and  mellow,  say 
about  the  first  of  lune.     Or  thev  mav  be  started  earlier 


$5^s^^; 


-^z>  -  ■ 


■?^^2^ 


Improved   Lima  Bean. 


82 


English  or  Broad  Beans — Beets.       ^t^ 

in  hot-beds,  like  cucumbers  and  melons,  and  trans- 
planted to  the  open  ground  at  about  the  time  stated. 

Dreer's  Improved  Lima  is  a  little  earlier  than  the 
old  Lima;  very  productive.  The  beans  form  very 
closely  in  the  pod,  and  are  of  excellent  quality  and 
flavor.  Sieva  or  Small  Lima  is  smaller  than  the  above 
but  cannot  be  excelled  in  quality. 

English  or  Broad  Beans  i^Faba  vulgaris)  although 
not  very  popular  in  this  countiy,  are  largely  grown  in 


Broad  Windsor  Bean. 


England.  The  Broad  Windsor  is  the  favorite  variety. 
Mazagan  is  early  and  hardy,  but  is  less  productive. 
The  Beet  {^Beta  vulgaris)  is  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant crops,  and  is  of  easy  culture.  Where  possible, 
a  rather  light,  sandy  loam  should  be  selected  for  this 
crop  in  preference  to  heavy  soil.     For  the  early  crop 


84 


Market  Gardening. 


the  seed  should  be  put  in  about  the  middle  of  April, 
or  as  soon  as  the  ground  is  in  suitable  working  con- 
dition. The  rows  should  be  planted  by  machine,  at 
distances  of  from  twelve  to  fourteen  inches  apart,  and 
the  drills  should  be  one  inch  deep.  After  they  have 
gained  a  foothold  the  plants  should  be  thinned  to  eight 
or  ten  inches  apart  in  the  drill.  Clean  culture  should 
of  course  be  given. 

The  above  remarks  apply  to  the  crop  when  grown 
for  early  marketing.     For  winter  use  the  seed  should 


Dewing   Beet. 


be  sown  about  the  first  of  July,  in  drills  drawn  at  the 
same  distances  apart  as  above  directed,  but  the  plants 
should  be  left  nearer  together,  say  at  intervals  of  from 
five  to  six  inches. 

Of  varieties  there  are    a  large   number  known  and 
named,  but  few  of    really  superior  merit.     The   Early 


Early  Varieties — Chard    Leaf-Beet.    8; 


Bastian,  for  early  cropping,  and  Dewing  Blood  Turnip, 
for  a  standard  sort,  are  as  popular  and  as  good  varieties 
as  we  could  name.  The  Early  Bastian  is  one  of  the 
very  earliest,  and  is  one  of  the  best  as  regards  quality. 
It  is  not  a  true  blood  beet,  but  is  sweet  and  of  very 
good  quality  at  all  times  of  the  year.  It  is  the  most 
popular  early  variety  grown  in  this  section. 


Swiss   Chard    Beet. 

The  Dark  Red  Egyptian  is  claimed  to  be  the  earliest 
variety  in  cultivation,  but  many  believe  the  Bastian, 
and  also  the  Eclipse,  to  be  equally  early.  In  shape  it 
is  much  flattened ;  color,  deep  crimson  :  top  small. 
It  is  certainly  very  early :  and  very  good  when  small, 
but  when  full  grown  it  is  woody  and  poor  in  quality. 
The  Eclipse  is  a  new  comer  for  which  much  is 
claimed.  It  has  been  in  the  market  only  four  or  five 
years;  it  is  a  blood   beet,  very  fine   grnincd,  of  good 


8  6  Ma  rkct  Ga  rden  ing. 


shape,  and  good  at  all  seasons  of  the  year.  The  Swiss 
Chard  is  a  peculiar  sort,  cultivated  principally  for  the 
leaf  stalks,  which  are  cooked  and  served  like  as- 
paragus. 

The  early  beets  are  nearly  always  bunched,  instead 
of  being  sold  by  the  bushel.  They  are  pulled  when 
grown  to  about  the  circumference  of  a  silver  dollar, 
and  are  tied  four  in  a  bunch.  The  bunches  usually 
bring  from  four  to  five  cents  each,  and  are  sold  by 
the  dozen  or  hundred.  At  this  price  a  good  crop  of 
early  beets  would  bring  returns  of  from  $400  to  $500 
per  acre.  The  thinnings  are  saved  and  sold  for 
greens,  by  the  bushel,  like  spinach.  Late  beets  are 
of  course  sold  by  the  bushel.  A  fair  average  yield,  per 
acre,  would  be  about  300  bushels ;  which  ought  to 
bring  at  least  $150. 

In  southern  New  England  such  early  varieties  as  the 
Early  Bastian,  Eclipse,  or  Egyptian  can  be  sown  the 
second  time  on  the  same  ground,  each  season,  and 
two  crops  per  year  can  be  raised  ;  but  with  the  late-r 
varieties,  which  require  about  two  weeks  longer  to 
mature,  the  season  would  not  be  long  enough. 

Beets  of  the  early  varieties  also  make  a  first-rate 
second  crop  to  follow  peas,  early  cabbage,  or  any  other 
early  crop  that  is  off  the  ground  so  that  the  beets  can 
be  put  in  by  the  20th  of  July. 

The  amount  of  seed  required,  per  acre,  for  the  early 
crop  (to  be  thinned  for  greens)  is  eight  pounds.  For 
the  late  crop  six  pounds  is  the  proper  quantity. 

Borecole,  or  Kale  {Brassica  oleracea  acephali)  is  a 
name  applied  to  the  class  of  Cabbage  which  does  not 


Borecole,  or  Kale — Varieties,  Sj 

head,  but  is  used  as  an  esculent  in  its  open  growth. 
When  used,  the  crown  or  centre  of  the  plant  is  cut 
off  so  as  to  include  the  leaves,  which  usually  do  not 
exceed  nine  inches  in  length.  It  boils  well,  and  is 
more  tender,  sweet,  and  delicate,  provided  it  has  been 
duly  exposed  to  frost.  To  secure  hea\y  crops  of  this 
hardy,  useful  winter  vegetable,  a  deep,  rich  soil  is  es- 
sential, and  the  ground  should  be  trenched  two  feet 
deep  and  liberally  manured.  Sow  about  the  middle  of 
April,  in  well  prepared  soil  covering  the  seeds  thinly 
and  evenly.  Half  an  ounce  will  sow  a  bed  of  twenty 
square  feet.  Plant  out  in  June,  and  cultivate  as  else- 
where recommended  for  cabbagfe. 


arf   Pjrpie  or    Brown    Kale. 


The  Dwarf  Purple,  or  Brown  Kale,  which  is  repre- 
sented in  the  cut  here  inserted,  is  a  beautiful  curled 
variety,  with  reddish-tinted  leaves.  Another  is  the 
Green  Curled  Scotch,  which  is  very  hardy,  and,  like 
the  Savoys,  is  improved  by  a  moderate  frost. 


8S  Market  Gardening. 


In  cultivating  the  Improved  Siberian  variety  —  a 
strain  of  the  kind  known  as  German  Greens,  or 
"  sprouts "  —  sow  in  September,  in  rows  one  foot 
apart,  and  treat  the  same  as  spinach.  This  is  a  very 
hardy  kind,  much  grown  by  the  New  York  gardeners. 

Broccoli  {Brassica  okracea  Botryiis)  is  a  variety  of 
cabbage  very  closely  resembling  the  cauliflower.  There 
is  scarcely  any  difference  between 
the  two  beyond  what  would  nat- 
urally be  looked  for  between  differ- 
ent varieties.  It  is  hardy,  and  sure 
to  head,  but  is  inferior  in  flavor. 

/4fHiil))f3^**^^\  ■^^^  ^^^^  varieties  of  Broccoli  re- 

M/i/tj^^^^.:^!^  quire  a  rich,  deep  soil  ;  and  the 
urpe  ap  rocco  i.  ground  should  bc  trenched  to  a 
depth  of  at  least  two  feet,  well  incorporating,  as  the 
work  proceeds,  abundance  of  rich  manure.  Where 
the  object  is  to  obtain  fine  large  heads,  too  much  ma- 
nure can  hardly  be  used. 

The  seed  should  be  sown  in  hot-beds,  for  early  crops, 
in  March  or  April ;  for  main  crops,  in  the  open  ground 
in  May,  in  beds  of  well-pulverized  rich  soil,  making 
the  surface  flne,  and  then  beating  the  seed  gently  into 
the  ground,  and  covering  it  with  fine  earth. 

One  ounce  will  sow  a  bed  of  forty  square  feet,  and 
produce  about  3,000  plants.  When  the  plants  are 
sufficiently  strong,  and  before  they  are  drawn  by  growing 
too  closely  together,  transplant  them  into  nursery  beds 
or  lines,  allowing  about  four  inches  between  the  plants. 
This  will  insure  strong,  stocky  plants,  and  will  also 
induce  the  formation  of  an  extra  quantity  of  roots. 


Broccoli — Brussels  Sproiils.  89 

Plant  in  permanent  situations  as  soon  as  the  plants 
are  sufficiently  established,  taking  care  not  to  injure 
the  roots,  in  rows  from  two  feet  to  two  feet  six  inches 
apart,  leaving  about  the  same  distance  between  the 
plants.  Keep  them  well  supplied  with  water  until  they 
get  fairly  established,  especially  the  early  varieties,  and 
these  must  also  be  liberally  watered  in  all  stages  of  their 
o-rowth  durins:  drv  hot  weather. 

Keep  the  ground  well  stirred  between  the  rows,  and 
free  from  weeds.  When  they  begin  to  llower,  break 
the  large  leaves  over  the  heads  to  protect  them  from 
the  sun,  and  gather  them  before  they  commence  run- 
ning up  to  seed.  Broccoli  thrives  best  in  cool,  moist, 
fall  weather, —  hot,  dry  summer  weather  not  being 
suited  to  it.  The  heads  are  cooked  the  same  as  cauli- 
flower. 

English  seedsmen  catalogue  an  almost  endless  num- 
ber of  varietiej,  but  there  are  only  a  very  few  of 
distinct  and  admitted  merit.  \\'alcheren  is  an  excellent 
variety,  with  large  white  heads.  Early  Purple  Cap  is 
an  excellent  sort ;  but  many  do  not  like  the  greenish- 
purple  color  of  the  heads.  White  Cap  is,  perhaps,  our 
best  variety;  heads  very  white  and  solid, —  a  sure 
header. 

This  vegetable  is  not  raised  extensively  in  any  section 
of  this  country,  except  in  California. 

Brussels  Sprouts  (Brassica  o^eracca  huILita). — This 
is  yet  another  of  the  Cabbage  family,  and  like  Broccoli 
is  little  grown  here,  though  its  excellent  qualities 
seem  to  be  fully  appreciated  by  our  English  cousins. 
The   culture   is  simple,    and   very   much   the    same  as 


90 


Market  Gardening. 


Brussels   Sprouts. 


is  adopted  for  cauli- 
flower or  cabbage  (ex- 
cept that  it  must  be 
remembered  that  the 
Sprouts  are  a  little  less 
hardy).  A  similar  quan- 
tity of  seed  is  required. 
The  seeds  should  be 
sown  in  March  or 
April  in  the  hot-bed, 
or  in  the  open  ground 
when  the  weather  per- 
mits. When  the  plants 
are  about  three  inches 
high  they  should  be 
transplanted.  The  ear- 
ly ones  will  be  ready 
for  the  table  in  Sep- 
tember ;  the  late  ones, 
for  winter  use,  should 


be  harvested  before  cold  weather,  and  stored  the  same 
as  cabbages  or  cauliflowers. 

The  small  heads,  which  grow  along  the  stem,  are  the 
eatable  parts  of  this  vegetable,  and  when  boiled  like 
cabbage,  or  stewed  with  cream,  like  cauliflower,  are 
very  tender  and  delicious.  Where  the  winters  are  not 
very  severe,  they  may  remain  in  the  ground,  to  be  cut  as 
needed ;  in  fact,  the  sprouts  are  much  improved  by  a 
moderate  frost.  The  leaves,  which  resemble  the  Savoy, 
should  be  broken  down  in  the  fall  to  give  the  little 
cabbages  room  to  grow. 


Cabbages — Cost  of  a  Crop.  91 

Dwarf  Improved  is  very  tender  and  is  distinguished 
for  fine  flavor ;  it  is  the  best  kind  for  general  use. 

Cabbage  {Brassica  oleracea  capitata)  is  one  of  the 
most  important  and  one  of  the  best  paying  crops. 

Lettuce  can  be  set  between  the  cabbage  rows,  to  be 
cut  off  before  the  growth  of  the  main  crop  will  inter- 
fere with  it.  In  this  manner  three  crops  may  be  grown 
each  season  ;  which  will  make  the  land  pay  as  well  as 
can  be  done  by  almost  any  other  system  of  cropping. 

As  cabbages  require  a  large  amount  of  lime,  they 
should  not  be  grown  on  the  same  ground  oftener  than 
once  in  three  years,  unless  a  special  application  of 
lime  is  made.  This  is  often  done,  and  especially  in 
the  vicinity  of  New  York  City  ;  but,  where  practicable, 
it  is  better  to  avoid  devoting  the  ground  continuously 
to  crops  of  the  cabbage  family.  And  it  is  also  better 
to  avoid  putting  in  cabbages  to  follow  any  shallow- 
feeding  crop  (like  corn,  for  instance)  as  they  collect 
the  greater  part  of  their  nourishment  near  the  surface, 
and  are  moreover  rank  feeders  ;  so  that  it  is  well  to 
let  them  follow  and  be  followed  by  some  deep-rooted 
crop. 

On  land  already  in  good  tillable  condition,  an  appli- 
cation of  twenty  cords  of  manure  per  acre  is  about 
what  will  be  required.  We  prefer  well  decomposed 
horse  manure  to  any  other.  This  manure  may  cost 
about  $8.00  per  cord,  delivered  on  the  place. 

The  applying  would  cost  about  $6.00  ;  ploughing, 
$2.00  ;  marking,  or  furrowing,  $2.00  ;  setting,  or  trans- 
planting, $5.00  ;  hoeing,  $5.00  (which  would  include 
cultivating")  ;    plants    (6.000   at    $5.00    per    thousand), 


92  Market  Gardeiiiiig. 


$30.00;  rent,  $25.00;  marketing,  $25.00;  making  a 
total  of  $260.00. 

If  set  at  intervals  of  three  and  a  half  feet  by  two 
feet,  the  number  of  plants  that  can  be  grown  per  acre 
is  six  thousand.  And  it  will  be  seen  that  they  cannot 
be  grown  at  less  cost  than  four  and  a  half-  cents  per 
head.  The  general  average  price  is  only  six  cents, 
which  would  indicate  a  profit  of  only  $100  per  acre; 
although,  of  course,  if  they  should  bring  eight  or  ten 
cents,  as  they  often  do,  the  profit  would  be  handsomely 
increased. 

It  will  be  seen  that  we  have  charged  all  the  twenty 
cords  of  manure  to  the  cabbage,  while  in  fact  the  cab- 
bages only  take  a  share  of  it,  and  usually  leave  an 
abundance  for  the  crop  that  follows.  So  it  becomes  a 
rather  difficult  matter  to  figure  the  exact  cost  by  itself 
of  o^rowins:  a  field  of  cabbacre  ;  but  after  the  second 
crop  is  harvested  it  will  be  an  easy  affair  to  distribute 
the  expenses  between  the  two,  and  thus  one  may  get 
at  the  matter  very  closely. 

If  it  is  seen  that  the  manure  which  has  been  applied 
is  not  sufficient  to  carry  out  the  crop,  a  dressing  should 
be  given  of  half  a  ton  of  some  good  commercial  fertil- 
izer that  is  rich  in  potash.  Wood-ashes,  when  obtain- 
able, are  excellent  for  this  purpose. 

Although  the  list  of  varieties  is  large,  market  garden- 
ers have  but  few  that  they  regard  as  reliable.  The 
Jersey  Wakefield  is  really  the  early  market  cabbage, 
and  is  undoubtedly  cultivated  to  a  greater  extent  than 
any  other  one  variety  for  the  first  early  crop.  Although 
this  sort  is  a  few  davs  later  than  the  very  earliest;  it  iu 


Early  Varieties — Raivso:is — EtampeG.  93 

enough  larger  to  make  up  for  the  difference  in  time,  and 
is  usually  more  profitable  than  the  .smaller  varieties. 

Rawson's  Early  Summ.er,  represented  in  the  subjoined 
cut,  is  next  in  order;  it  excels  both  in  size  and  earli- 
ness,  and  ranks  as  the  best  of    the   earlv  Drumhead 


Rawson's    Early   Summer 


sorts.  It  is  a  trifle  larger  than  the  Wakefield,  and  conse- 
quently the  setting  should  be  a  little  farther  apart.  We 
would  not  advise  setting  any  closer  than  three  and  a 
half  feet  for  the  rows,  and  plants  at  twenty  inches,  as 
this  will  Gfive  them  none  too  much  room.     And  althou^fh 


94  Market  Gardening, 

they  may  be,  and  in  some  cases  are,  planted  closer,  it 
is  not  so  desirable,  especially  in  this  market. 

The  wider  planting  is  better,  even  in  places  where 
cabbages  are  sold  entirely  by  weight.  We  do  not  doubt 
that  by  setting  at  two  feet  apart  each  way  just  as  many 
pounds  per  acre  could  be  raised  ;  but  the  advantage  in 
the  wider  style  of  planting  is  that  less  plants  will  be 
required  per  acre,  and  consequently  there  will  be  less 
work  in  cutting;  and  further,  the  cabbages  will  usually 
be  harder  and  of  better  quality. 

The  Early  Etampes  is  about  ten  days  earlier  than 
any  other  cabbage.     The  heads  are  oblong,  rounded 


ly   Etampes. 


at  the  top,  and  of  medium  size  ;  they  are  very  solid  and 
firm,  and  of  good  quality.     It  is  a  new  French  sort. 


YoM  11  g  Pla }i ts  —  La tcr  l^a rieties.        g 5 


Fottlers  Early  Brunswick  is  a  ver}-  popular  variety, 
about  two  weeks  later  than  the  Early  Summer. 


Early  Jersey   Wakefieid. 

For  the  early  varieties,  which  we  have  mentioned 
above,  the  seed  is  usually  sown  in  hot-beds,  from  the 
10th  to  the  20th  of  Februan'.  They  should  be  covered 
about  half  an  inch  deep.  In  about  four  weeks  they 
are  ready  for  transplanting,  which  is  usually  done  in  a 
bed  from  which  a  crop  of  lettuce  has  just  been  re- 
moved. They  should  be  put  in  about  three  and  a 
half  inches  apart,  so  as  to  give  them  plenty  of  room  to 
grow  stout  and  stocky.  By  this  rule  two  hundred  plants 
are  put  under  each  sash.  After  they  have  obtained  a 
good  start  the  sash  should  be  removed  gradually,  to 
allow  them  to  harden  off  ;  and  they  may  be  given  all 
the  protection  necessary  in  severe  weather,  by  the  use 
of    shutters.     They    are    usually    transplanted    to   the 


96 


Market  Gardening. 


open  ground  either  the   last  week  in  April  or  the  first 
in  May,  according  to  the  season. 

The  variety  adapted  to  follow  the  Fottler's  Bruns- 
wick (which  we  have  classed  among  the  early  kinds) 
is  an  improved  strain  of  the  Stone  Mason,  and  is 
catalogued  by  some  seedsmen  as  the  Warren.  It  is 
somewhat  earlier  than  the  ordinary  strain,  which  is  very 
largely  cultivated  in  this  section  as  a  late  variety.  The 
Premium  Flat  Dutch  is  a  very  popular  Drumhead 
variety,  and  the  best  strains  of  it  are  equalled  by  but 
very  few  other  varieties.  They  are  grown  as  a  regular 
fall  crop.  Marblehead  Mammoth  is  a  very  large  sort, 
and  the  latest  on  the  list  of  fall  varieties  ;  it  is  also  an 
excellent  keeper.     The  Curled  Savoy  ranks  among  the 


Globe  Curled   Savoy. 


latest,  and  is  grown  mostly  for  winter  use.  The  Drum- 
head Savoy  differs  from  the  curled,  in  being  of  larger 
size  and  less  curled.  As  a  Savoy  it  is  less  desirable 
than  the  former  for  eating,  but  is  profitable  to  raise. 


Jl7/i/cr  Keeping —  Carrots. 


Late  cabbages  are  usually  grown  as  a  second  crop, 
following  peas  or  something  similar  in  culture  ;  or 
they  may  be  set  on  newly  turned  land  which  has  been 
in  early  grain  or  grass.  It  is  not  generally  necessary 
to  apply  as  much  manure  as  for  the  early  crop  ; 
twelve  cords  is  usually  an  abundant  dressing,  espe- 
cially where  they  follow  some  other  crop  which  has 
been  well  manured  the  same  season. 

To  keep  cabbage  through  the  winter,  commence  by 
making  a  small  bank,  say  about  one  and  a  half  feet 
high,  in  some  sheltered  locality.  Pull  the  cabbage, 
and  place  the  heads  against  the  bank  in  a  row  as  close 
as  they  can  stand ;  then  turn  up  the  earth  with  the  plow 
against  the  row.  Be  careful  not  to  cover  the  head,  but 
make  the  earth  firm  around  the  roots.  Then  with  a 
shovel  square  down  the  bank  thus  made,  and  place 
another  row:  this  will  be  about  eight  or  ten  inches 
from  the  first,  and  so  continue  until  the  whole  are 
set  out.  Another  wav  is  to  place  the  cabbages  head 
downwards  on  the  ground,  and  cover  the  heads  and 
stumps  with  dirt,  then  adding  hay  or  something  similar 
to  keep  out  the  frost.  This  protection  should  also  be 
given  in  banking  up  by  the  other  method.  Put  on 
enough  to  be  sure  that  they  will  not  freeze  solid.  If 
frozen  about  half  through,  they  are  not  injured,  and  will 
keep  quite  well.  Some  have  houses  where  they  store 
the  cabbages,  placing  them  head  down  on  the  shelf, 
laying  them  as  close  as  possible,  and  only  one  deep. 
The  temperature  is  kept  at  about  the  freezing  point. 

Carrot  {Daiicus  carota)  is  perhaps  more  properly  to 
be  called  a  farm  crop  •  still,  to  some  extent,  it  is  grown  by 


98 


Market  Ga? 


ncniug-. 


market  gardeners  who  chance  to  be  located  near  large 
cities,  and  yet  on  land  that  is  not 
too  valuable.     They  require  a  very 
finely  pulverized  and  porous  sandy 
loam   for   their   full    development, 
and  for  large  crops.     It  is  impor- 
tant that  the  land  should   not  be 
too  rich,  as  then  the  crop  will   run 
too   much  to  tops  ;  and  still  they 
should  not  be  placed  on  poor,  light 
soil  with  the  expectation  of  a  big 
crop.     Land  that  is  in  fairly  good 
condition,  and  has  been  manured 
the  year  previous  for  some   other 
crop,  is  usually  quite  rich  enough 
for  the  growing  of  carrots. 
When  the  short  varieties  (like   Early  Horn,    Inter- 
mediate,   etc.)    are    raised    for 
bunching,  they  are  usually  put 
in  as  a  second  crop  with  spring 
spinach  and  radishes.   They  are 
tied  in  bunches,  four  in  a  bunch, 
like    early  beets;     and    usually 
bring,  on  an  average,  four  cents 
per  bunch.     But  there  is  only  a 
limited  demand  for  them. 


Early   Horn   Carrot. 


^*..«. 


\Mien 


under     glass, 


Frer^ch  Early  Forcing. 


they  are  usually  raised  as  a  third 
crop  in  the  following  manner  : 
After  a  crop  of  lettuce  has  been 
removed  from  the  bed,  perhaps 


Under  Glass  —  Late  Sorts. 


99 


Early 


Danvet 

crop 
and 


about  the  first  of  February,  the  ground 
IS  sown  to  radishes  and  carrots,  putting 
the  latter  in  ever}-  third  row,  — so  tha't 
there  are  two  rows  of  radishes  to  one  of 
carrots.  About  the  last  week  in  March 
the  radishes  are  ready  for  pulling,  which 
leaves  the  carrots  in  full  possession  of 
the  beds.  The  Early  French  Forcing  is 
the  leading  variety  for  hot-bed  culture. 
The  plants  have  but  a  very  small  top, 
/  run  very  even  in  size,  and  are  of  good 

Scarlet    Horn.  appCaranCC. 

The  sash,  being  usually  removed  some 
time  between  March  20th  and  April,  can 
after  that  date  be  used  for  some  other 
purpose,  and,  until  warm  weather,  all 
the  protection  needed  by  the  carrots 
may  be  given   with  shutters. 

They  will  be  ready  for  pulling  and 
bunching  about  the  last  week  in  May 
(taking  for  their  growth  about  twice  the 
time  of  the  radishes).  At  this  season 
they  will  usually  bring  on  an  averao;e 
Si. 00  per  dozen  bunches,  five  carrots 
being  put  in  a  bunch,  and  at  this  price 
the  crop  will  bring  about  $1.50  per  sash. 

For  out-door  culture  the  Early  Scarlet 
Horn  or  Butter  is  the  earliest  varietv 

3    Halt    Long.  IV  ^  ' 

and  can   be  sown  either  as    a   separate 
or  with  others.      This  is  a   stump  root   variety, 
is  grown   exclusivelv  for  bunchino-. 


lOO 


Market  Gardcjiiiiz^ 


The  Danvers  Half  Long  Orange  is  the  standard  main 
crop  variety  ;  being  usually  sold  by  the  barrel,  box,  or 
bushel,  for  fall  and  winter  use.  It  is  a  remarkably 
prolific  variety,  yielding  frequently  (and  in  some  in- 
stances considerably)  over  forty  tons  per  acre.  It  is 
withal  an  excellent  keeper. 

The  Thick  Half  Long  Orange  is  an  excellent  strain 
of  the  ordinary  Improved 
Long  Orange,  and  is  exten- 
sively grown  in  field  culture ; 
but  is  not  as  desirable,  ex- 
cept for  stock  feeding,  as 
the  Danvers.  The  Improved 
Long  Orange  is  the  standard 
stock  carrot.  The  roots  are 
laro^e  and  Ions:,  and  are  of 
good  quality  for  feeding.  The 
Large  White  Belgian  is  used 
for  stock  only.  As  the  crown 
of  this  carrot  grows  five  or 
six  inches  out  of  ground, 
they  are  more  easily  dug  than 
r.ny  other  sort;  and  are  liked 
by  many  on  this  account. 
The  Lons:  Scarlet  Antrins;- 
ham  is  a  very  iiTeguIar 
shaped  red  variety.  It  is 
less  productive  and  is  no 
better  in  any  way  than  the  Long  Orange. 

Cauliflower  i^Brassica  aleracea  Botrytis).  The  cul- 
ture of  this  crop  involves  much  painstaking   labor; 


Improved    Long   Orarvge  Carrot. 


Cauliflown" — Ctilttire —  Varieties,     i  o  r 


nevertheless,  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  the  acreage 
devoted  to  cauliflower  has  been  largely  increased 
during  the  past  few  }Tears.  Many  cultivators  who  for- 
merly raised  but  an  acre  or  two  now  grow  three  or 
four  acres;  and  fields  even  as  large  as  eight  or  ten 
acres  are  not  uncommon.  When  grown  in  large 
quantities,  they  are  usually  stored  in  the  fall  for  winter 
marketing.  It  is  naturally  a  fall  crop  and  will  not  well 
bear  early  forcing.  From  the  first  of  May  until  the 
first  of  July,  according  to  the  time  the  plants  are 
wanted  for  setting,  is  the  time  to  put  in  the  seed. 
They  are  one  of  the  various  forms  of  the  cabbage 
family,  and  require  the  same  general  conditions. 


Cauliflower. 


When  they  do  well  they  usually  pay  better  than 
early  cabbage  ;  but  there  is  much  more  risk  in  culti- 
vating them.  As  raised  in  this  locality,  about  6,000 
e:-e  grown  per  acre,  and  if  maturing  well,  will  bring  in 


I02  Market  Gardening, 

about  $700.00.  The  price  varies  from  $1.00  to  $2.00 
per  dozen. 

They  are  usually  grown,  like  late  cabbage,  for  a 
second  crop.  Sometimes  a  piece  of  land  is  devoted 
solely  to  them  through  the  season  ;  but  when  set  early 
they  do  not  usually  head  as  well. 

There  is  no  garden  crop  that  is  pinched  more  se- 
verely by  a  drought  than  the  cauliflower  ;  and  none, 
perhaps,  which  will  pay  better  for  irrigation. 

For  the  main  crop,  early  variety,  there  is  with  us 
nothing  so  good  as  Rawson's  Sea  Foam,  which  derives 
its  name  from  the  pure  white  color  of  the  heads.  It 
is  quite  distinct  and  the  surest  header  we  know  of. 
The  Snowball,  being  a  very  sure  header,  is  quite  desir- 
able, although  not  equaling  the  Sea  Foam  with  us. 
The  Early  Dwarf  Erfurt  is  one  of  the  standard  varieties, 
and  used  both  for  early  and  late  sowings.  It  is  a  very 
sure  header,  not  large,  but  even  in  size.  The  Late 
Erfurt  is  a  later  strain  of  the  preceding,  and  conse- 
quently requires  a  longer  season  to  reach  maturity.  It 
is  large  in  size.  The  Half  Early  Paris  is  also  a  late 
variety,  but  does  not  make  as  compact  heads  as  the 
Erfurt.  The  Algiers  is  a  splendid  sort :  the  largest 
and  latest  of  all. 

Celeriac,  or  Turnip- Rooted  Celery  {^Apium  grave- 
olens  rapaceuni),  although  but  little  used  in  this  country, 
is  quite  popular  in  Europe,  especially  in  Germany  and 
France.  It  is  rather  peculiar  in  its  manner  of  growth. 
It  is  started,  and  in  its  early  stages  should  be  treated, 
precisely  like  celery,  except  that,  as  it  requires  but  a 
slight  earthing  up,  the  plants  may  be  set  much  closer. 


Celeriac  —  Celery 


103 


Two  feet  apart  for  the  rows,  and  eight  inches  fcr  the 


^.mmsM. 


Ceieriac. 


plants,  will  give  abundance  of  room.  For  winter  use, 
it  mav  be  stored  in  trenches,  like  celery,  or  placed  in 
sand  in  a  cool  cellar.  The  globe-shaped  bulb,  or  root, 
is  the  edible  part  of  the  plant.  The  Erfurt  is  the 
favorite  variety,  and  is  about  the  only  strain  catalogued 
in  this  country. 

Q'Ei.^.RY  {Apiu77i  gf'avcolens).  In  selecting  a  place  for 
starting  the  plants,  choose,  if  possible,  a  cool  and  par- 
tially shaded  spot.  The  soil  should  be  put  in  good 
condition,  and  firmed  down.  After  it  is  prepared  in 
this  respect,  rake  the   surface  lightly,  and  sow  o;i  the 


I04 


Market  Gardening. 


seed    broadcast ;  then    place    a    hot-bed    shutter,  or  a 
plank,  on  the  surface,  and  have  a  man  walk  or  jump  upon 


son's   Early  Arlington   Celery. 


it  until  the  soil  is  again  well  compacted.  After  this, 
sift  on  soil ^ just  enough  to  cover  the  seed  lightly,  not 
over  a  quarter  of  an  inch  at  most.  Then  pat  down 
moderately  with  the  back  of  a  spade,  or  shovel ;  and 
the  work  ii  done,  except  watering,  until  the  plants  are 
well  up.  The  bed  should  be  kept  constantly  moist,  but 
not  too  wet.  An  ounce  of  seed  should  sow  a  space 
about  six  feet  square,  and  should  furnish  fully  six  thous- 
and plants. 

When  the  celery  is  to  follow  cabbage,  or  other  early 


P halting  Out— Banking — Storing.    105 

crops,  the  plants  are  usually  twice  transplanted.  When 
lifted  from  the  seed-bed,  they  are  put  out  five  or  six 
inches  apart.  In  this  section,  celery  is  invariably 
grown  as  a  second  or  third  crop.  The  soil  best 
adapted  to  celery  is  a  strong,  deep,  sandy  loam,  natur- 
ally moist;  and  it  needs  and  must  have  plenty  of 
moisture  during  droughts,  or  a  shortage  will  be  the 
result. 

Where  celery  is  to  follow  early  cabbage,  it  is  the 
usual  custom  to  plough  the  land  before  setting  the 
plants.  But  no  manure  should  be  added  to  that 
already  in  the  soil.  The  plants  must  be  put  in  at  just 
the  right  depth  —  just  so  deep  as  not  to  cover  the 
crown  —  and  the  loosened  soil  must  be  brought  to- 
gether firmly  about  the  roots.  Celery  of  all  kinds 
should  be  planted  on  a  level,  and  not  in  trenches. 

The  first  transplanting  is  to  be  done  in  June,  the 
second  in  July.  If  the  crop  has  been  planted  out 
early,  it  is  well  to  commence  banking  it  the  first  week 
in  Septerriber,  or  about  four  weeks  before  it  is  wanted. 
Two  bankings  will  suffice  for  the  early  crop,  and  they 
should  be  timed  about  ten  days  apart.  For  later  use, 
say  about  Thanksgiving  time,  commence  about  the 
first  of  October  ;  repeat  the  banking  about  the  tenth, 
and  still  a^ain  about  the  twentieth.  For  winter  use, 
bank  about  the  fifteenth  or  twentieth,  according  to  the 
season  ;  and  if  the  celery  is  not  very  large,  one  bank- 
ing will  be  sufficient. 

When  it  is  ready  for  storing,  it  should  be  taken  up 
and  placed  in  pits  prepared  for  the  purpose.  The  roots 
should  be  covered  the  same   as  if  thev  were  standing: 


io6  Markel  Gardenmg. 

in  the  ground;  and  should  be  placed  about  six  inches 
apart,  if  they  are  to  remain  on  hand  long,  so  as  to 
allow  the  air  to  circulate  properly. 

To  prepare  a  pit  for  storing  celery  make  the  sides 
of  plank,  24  feet  apart  and  about  two  feet  high  from  the 
ground.  The  boards  for  covering  should  be  thirteen 
feet  long,  the  ends  of  two  lengths  meeting  each  other  on 
the  centre  of  the  pit ;  where  it  should  have  an  interior 
height  of  six  feet.  Enough  loam  is  thrown  out  from 
the  inside,  in  forming  the  pit,  to  embank  the  sides  and 
ends. 

In  setting  the  celery,  commence  at  one  end  of  the 
pit :  dig  a  trench  about  three  inches  deep,  and  set  in 
the  celery  as  closely  as  you  can  in  the  row.  In  taking 
up  loam  for  covering  the  roots  of  one  row,  another 
trench  is  obtained  for  setting  down  the  next.  Be  care- 
ful to  make  it  stand  up  perfectly  straight :  and,  either 
in  the  field  or  in  the  pit,  the  yellow  leaves  should  all 
be  removed  before  the  packing  in. 

The  pit  can  be  extended  to  any  length  desired,  and 
partitions  may  be  employed  :  so  that  portions  of  the 
stock  can  be  kept  cooler,  and  so  held  back ;  or  can  be 
kept  warmer  and  ripened  off. 

The  pit  coverings  of  boards  must  be  put  on  as  fast 
as  the  celery  is  got  in.  Small  ventilators,  about  one 
foot  square,  are  constructed  along  the  centre,  about 
twenty  feet  apart.  These  are  opened  in  clear  and 
moderately  cold  weather;  and  thus  the  temperature  is 
kept  at  about  35°  to  40^  Fahrenheit,  until  a  supply  is 
wanted  for  market  —  when  they  can  be  kept  closed, 
and  the  cehrv  allowed  to  ripen. 


Arlmoton  Celery — Other  Kinds.        \oi 

The  best  material  with  which  to  cover  the  celer}-  for 
long  keeping  is  salt  hay ;  but  it  can  be  ripened  quick- 
est under  seaweed,  which  packs  ver\'  closely  when  wet. 
One  foot  in  thickness  is  sufficient  for  its  protection 
if  the  outside  thermometer  does  not  go  below  zero. 
Some  old  mats  or  shutters  may  be  put  on  for  a  short 
time  when  the  weather  is  very  cold.  Thermometers 
should  be  provided,  —  one  to  be  kept- near  each  end; 
and,  if  the  pit  is  one  hundred  feet  long,  or  more,  one 
will  be  needed  in  the  middle. 

The  list  of  varieties  is  large :  but  still,  as  in  the  case 
of  manv  other  vegetables,  there  are  but  few  of  really 
superior  merit.  Rawson's  Early  Arlington  is  fast  be- 
coming the  leading  variety  in  the  Boston  market.  It 
is  first  class  in  quality,  and  fully  three  weeks  earlier 
than  the  old  stand-by  known  as  the  Boston  ]vlarket 
variety  —  grows  larger,  and  yields  more  profit. 

Sandringham  Dwarf  White  is  an  excellent  dwarf 
variety,  of  an  upright  habit  of  growth.  Carters 
Crimson  is  a  very  dwarf,  solid  variety,  crisp  and 
tender,  —  first  class  as  a  red  variety.  Henderson's 
Half  Dwarf  is  somewhat  similar  to  Crawford's  ;  when 
blanched,  it  is  of  a  yellow  tinge,  crisp,  and  of  an  agree- 
able, though  rather  peculiar  nutty  flavor.  The  White 
Plume  is  a  new  dwarf  \ariety,  with  a  very  marked 
peculiarity  in  the  foliage.  It  is  very  white,  and,  being 
rather  tender,  is  not  an  extra  keeper. 

The  Golden  Heart  celery  is  grown  mostly  by  gar- 
deners in  the  celery  region  of  Kalamazoo,  and  is  set 
in  rows  four  and  one-half  feet  apart,  and  four  inches 
apart   in  the   row  :  but   it   takes  from  six  to  twelve  of 


io8 


Maj^kei  Gardening, 


their  roots  to  make  one  of  ours.  They  get  about  one 
cent  per  root  for  their  celery,  and  we  sell  ours  for 
prices  ranging  from  five  to  twenty-five  cents  per  root. 

In  preparing  for  market,  every  separate  root  has  to 
be  dug,  trimmed,  knifed,  washed,  and  packed.  It  is 
usually  packed  in  boxes  of  three  dozen  in  each  ;  but  the 
Arlington  will  almost  always  fill  with  two  and  one-half 
dozen.  It  cannot  be  grown  (counting  every  root)  for 
less  than  four  cents  per  root,  and  leave  any  profit  to 
the  grower.  It  is  sold  by  market-gardeners  at  w^hole- 
sale,  by  the  box  of  two  and  one-half  or  three  dozen, 
the  price  varying  from  one  dollar  to  six  dollars. 

Chicory  {Chicoriiun  Intyhus)  is  generally  grown  for 
the  roots,  which  are  used  for  adulterating  coffee  ;    but 
sometimes  the  plants,  when  about 
a  foot   high,   are  tied    together   at 
the  top,  and   then   earthed    up   to 
bleach,    like     celery.       When    so 
treated   they  make   a  good   salad. 
The  seed  should  be  sown  early  in 
the  spring,  in  drills  fifteen  or  eight- 
een inches  apart,  and  half  an  inch 
deep.     The   plants   when   well   up 
should  be  thinned  to  six  or  eight 
inches.     It  is  a  poor  crop  to  intro- 
duce on  a  farm,  or    in   a   garden, 
for  if  allowed  to  go  to  seed,  it  will 
spread  all  over  the  place. 
Chives  {Aiiiiun  Schanoprasutn)  are  a  small,  bulbous- 
rooted  vaiiety  of    the  Onion  family;  entirely  hardy  in 
any  part  of  the  United  States.     Of  late  years  they  are 


Chicory. 


Chicory— Chives — How  Used,       109 


less  grown  than  formerly.  Then,  no  family  garden  was 
considered  properly  stocked  without  a  few  bunches  of 
Chives.  They  require  no  culture  beyond  keeping  the 
ground  free  from  weeds,  and  can  be  continuously 
grown  on  almost  any  soil  year  after  year  without  change 


Chives. 


of  location.  They  are  propagated  by  dividing  the  root, 
like  Pie  Plant,  or  Rhubarb,  and  the  sets  should  be  put 
in  at  ten  or  twelve  inches  apart.  The  leaves  or  stalks 
are  the  edible  portion,  and  may  be  repeatedly  cut  off, 
as  thev  continuallv  renew  themselves  durinr  the  crrow- 
ing  season.  Sometimes  they  are  used  in  soups,  for 
flavoring ;  but  more  commonly  in  the  rnw  state,  for 
garnishing.  In  old-time  gardens,  chives  were  often  set 
out  as  borders  for  vegetable  beds,  as  they  needed  no 
renewing,  and  their  bright  green  color  was  quite  orna- 
mental. 


'''■''i0''         ■'llliil.liffi 

Field  Corn— Traced  Ears. 
JIO 


CHAPTER  V. 
Vegetable?,   Etc.  —  Coxtixued. 

CORN  {Zea  Mays).  The  Commox  Eield  sort  is 
not  a  market  garden  crop  :  yet  we  cannot  leave 
wholly  unmentioned  this,  the  "  king  crop  of  the  coun- 
try." The  cheap  and  easily  tilled  lands  of  the  great 
West,  with  the  labor-saving  machinery  lately  "brought 
into  use,  furnish  this  corn  at  such  low  prices  that  many 
farmers  prefer  to  buy  their  supply  rather  than  grow 
it.  But,  where  there  is  suitable  land  that  is  not  too 
valuable,  it  is,  in  our  opinion,  cheaper  in  the  long  run 
for  the  owner  to  grow  his  home  supply. 

The  soil  best  adapted  to  corn  is  what  is  generally 
called  "  warm  "  land  ;  that  is,  a  rather  light  sandy  or 
gravelly  loam  with  a  porous  sub-soil,  well  enriched 
and  thoroughly  worked. 

There  is  no  crop  which  will  respond  more  quickly  to 
careful  and  liberal  treatment,  as  is  proven  by  the  fact 
that,  within  the  last  few  years,  so  large  a  yield  as  240 
bushels  of  ears  has  been  produced  on  a  single  acre  ; 
and  this  was  in  the  Eastern  States,  where  —  so  our 
Western  neighbors  claim  —  we  have  no  good  land. 
This  is,  of  course,  onlv  a  sin^rle  instance,  and  the  larjre 
crop  was  obtained  by  exceptionally  careful  culture. 
Ill 


112  Market  Gardening, 

In  the  Middle  States,  or  in  southern  localities,  it  is 
well  to  get  northern  grown  seed  ;  which,  if  carefully  se- 
lected, is  sure  to  be  earlier.  Within  the  past  few  years 
some  marked  improvements  have  been  made  in  varie- 
ties of  lield  corn,  which  will,  no  doubt,  prove  permanent 
acquisitions ;  but  farmers  should  not  jDut  too  much 
confidence  in  novelties. 

Sweet  Corn,  also,  —  unless  when  grown  expressly 
for  extra  early  marketing, —  is  too  little  profitable  for 
a  garden  crop,  and  in  fact  is  very  little  grown  by 
gardeners.  The  principal  sort  raised  in  this  vicinity 
is  the  Extra  Early  Crosby,  —  that  being  the  earliest  of 
all.  A  strong,  sandy  loam  is  its  favorite  soil.  It 
should  be  planted,  for  the  early  crop,  about  the  first 
of  May.  Sow  in  rows  four  feet  apart,  and  hills  three 
or  four  feet  apart  in  the  row,  according  to  the  condition 
of  the  soil.  It  is  usually  manured  in  the  hill  (besides 
the  broadcasting)  with  one  or  two  shovelfuls  of  well- 
rotted  manure.  The  corn  is  planted  by  hand  ;  and,  in 
early  planting,  should  be  covered  not  over  one  inch 
deep.  Later  plantings  should  be  put  in  deeper.  At 
thinning  time  four  plants  should  be  left  in  each  hill. 
Clean  culture  should  be  given,  and  the  earth  should 
be  drawn  slightly  towards  the  hills  so  that  water  will 
not  stand  about  the  stalks. 

If  the  season  should  prove  favorable,  the  early  crop 
should  be  ready  for  marketing  about  July  15th.  At 
this  date  there  would  be  little  corn  in  the  market 
except  that  brought  from  the  South,  and  the  ears 
should  bring  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  cents  per 
dozen.     At  this  price  the   crop  from   an   acre  would 


Szccef  Com  —  Best    VaTicfics, 


II 


bring  from  $300  to  $350.  If  the  Extra  Early  Crosby 
is  grown,  the  whole  crop  may  be  harvested  at  two  pick- 
in2:s,  and  marketed  before  other  sorts  are  brousrht  in 
to  any  extent.  As  an  additional  advantage,  the  land 
is  cleared  in  time  for  a  second  cropping.  The  true 
early  variety  does  not  grow  more  than  three  and  a  half 
or  four  feet  high. 

The   ••  Early  Crosby"  (an  older  variety)  is  a  favorite 


Sweet  or    Sugar   Corn. 


with  many  grow'ers  and  private  gardeners,  as  a  medium 
early  sort.  The  Con,'  Corn  is  a  variety  recently  intro- 
duced, and  rapidly  coming  into  favor  as  one  of  the 
best  earlv  sorts  here  cultivated. 


114 


Market   Gaj^deiiino; 


cb 


The  Early  Marblehead  by  some  is  wrongly  consid- 
ered the  first  and  earliest  variety,  and  is  raised  to  some 
extent ;  but  the  red  color  of  the  cob  is  a  most  decided 
objection  to  it  in  some  markets.  The  same  objection 
applies'  to  the  Early  Karragansett,  which,  before  the 
introduction  of  the  Marblehead,  was  thought  by  many 
to  lead  all  in  earliness. 

The  Early  Tom  Thumb  is  a  ver)-  early,  eight-rowed 
sort,  of  excellent  quality,  about  a  week  earlier  than  the 
Early  Minnesota.  The  last  named  sort  is  much  es- 
teemed for  the  home  garden,  where  a  few  days  in  earli- 
ness is  of  less  importance  than  ears  of  good  size  and 
quality. 

The  Moore's  Concord  is  a  twelve  to  sixteen  rowed 
sort,  not  raised  by  market-gardeners,  because  it  is  so 
late  that  by  the  time  it  is  ready  for  picking  the  market 
is  flooded.  No  one  can  afford  to  raise  it  except  farm- 
ers who  have  an  abundance  of  land,  and  to  whom  the 
stover  is  of  as  much  value  as  the  ears.  The  quality  of 
this  variety  is  most  excellent  and  the  ears  are  large. 
Elack  Mexican  is  an  eight-rowed  variety,  having  ears 
of  medium  size.  For  quality  and  real  sugary^  flavor 
it  is  unexcelled  by  any  variety  in  cultivation.  Marble- 
head Mammoth  is  a  first-rate  large-eared  variety,  of 
vigorous  growth  and  excellent  quality.  StowelFs  Ever- 
green, the  largest  and  latest  of  all,  is  the  standard 
sort,  very  sweet  and  of  good  quality. 

Corn  Salad  (  Valerianella  oUiaria),  or  Fetticus,  is  a 
peculiar  vegetable,  used  entirely  as  a  salad.  In  Eng- 
land it  is  largely  grown.  Some  years  ago  it  was  very 
frequently  raised  among  growing  corn,  but  it  is  now 


Com  Salad — Cress. 


115 


considered  better  to  give  the  crop  full  possession  of 
the  land.  It  is  but  little  grown  for  the  Boston  market, 
but  in  New  York  there  is  quite  a  demand  for  it.  It 
should  be  sown  as  early  in  the  spring  as  the  ground 
can  be  worked,  in  rows  twelve  or  fifteen  inches  apart. 
If  the  weather  is  favorable,  it  should  be  ready  for  use 
in  aborft  two  months  from  the  date  of  sowing.     When 


Co  n  Salad,  or  Fetticus. 


an  early  spring  supply  is  to  be  provided  for,  it  may  be 
sown  about  the  middle  of  September.  The  plants 
should  receive  a  covering  of  straw,  or  marsh  hay,  as 
soon  as  cold  weather- comes.  They  start  very  early 
in  the  spring,  and  therefore  the  covering  should  be 
removed  in  March  or  early  April.  The  funher  treat- 
ment and  marketing  are  the  same  as  with  spinach. 

Cress  {Lcpidium  sativufn),  or  Peppergrass,  is  in  some 
respects  like  Corn  Salad.     The  culture  is  very  simple. 


ii6 


Ma7^ket  Garde^img, 


Sow  in  early  spring,  in  rows  twelve   or  fifteen  inches 
apart.     Make  a  sowing  every  ten  or  fifteen  days,  as  it 


Cress,  o'   Peppergrass. 

runs  very  quickly  to  seed.  The  leaves,  when  young, 
have  a  pungent  taste  and  are  used  as  a  salad,  and  also 
for  garnishing.  The  Curled  is  the  best  for  general  use, 
although  several  other  varieties  are  cultivated. 

Cucumber  {Cuaunis  sativus).  While  this  is  a  very 
important  out-door  crop,  it  is  also  very  extensively 
grown  under  glass,  for  the  Boston  market ;  and  culti- 
vated in  this  manner  (as  a  forced  crop)  it  is  probably 
dealt  in  to  a  larger  extent  here  than  in  any  other 
market  of  the  United  States.  Almost  every  market 
gardener  in  this  section  who  has  any  glass  runs  it, 
either  early  or  late,  to  cucumbers.  As  is  well  known, 
the  plant  is  a  very  tender  one  when  grown  out  doors, 
and  when  forced  under  glass  is  much  more  so. 

The  seed  for  the  first  crop  is  generally  sown  about 
the  middle  of  March.    When  the  plants  are  sufficiently 


Cu c  2i  m  5c rs  —  L  ^udcr  Gla ss.  117 

grown  they  are  transplanted,  being  set  four  in  a  hill ; 
and  thirty-two  hills  being  put  under  each  3x6  sash. 
They  are  left  to  grow  in  this  manner  until  they  are 
about  four  inches  high  Cwhich  usually  takes  about  four 
weeks  from  the  time  of  sowing).  They  are  then  re- 
moved ;  and  each  hill  is  placed  under  a  3  x  6  sash,  and 
given  good,  steady  heat,  such  as  keeps  the  ground  and 
roots  thoroughly  warm.  The  bed  should  be  kept  at 
an  average  temperature  of  about  70°,  corresponding  to 
ordinary  midsummer  weather.  The  requisite  heat  is 
afforded  by  the  heating  material  that  has  been  placed 
underneath,  aided  by  the  sun,  and  is  retained  at  night 
by  covering  with  mats  and  shutters.  It  is  regulated 
by  means  of  a  thermom&ter,  and  ought  not  to  run 
lower  than  50°  at  night,  or  higher  than  90°  during  the 
day.  In  case  the  thermometer  rises  higher  than  this, 
the  beds  should  be  cooled  by  raising  the  sash.  The 
vines  are  sometimes  grown  in  lettuce  beds,  after  the 
lettuce  has  been  removed,  by  putting  in  fresh  heating 
material,  but  it  is  much  better,  when  practicable,  to 
make  a  fresh  bed.  The  plants,  after  being  established, 
should  be  reduced  to  three  in  a  hill,  as  it  is  no  ad- 
vantage, but  a  drawback,  to  have  too  much  vine.  They 
require  the  .same  care  under  glass  that  they  would  re- 
ceive in  field  culture.  Especially  under  glass  they  are 
a  very  quick  growing  crop,  and  will  require  picking  as 
often  as  four  times  a  week.  The  picking  may  ordina- 
rily be  commenced  about  June  ist  ;  and  about  this 
time  the  glass  should  be  removed  from  the  bed.  Those 
gathered  in  the  earliest  pickings  usually  bring  about 
ten  cents  each ;    of    course  as    the    season    advances 


Ii8  'Market  Gardening, 

the  price  will  decrease,  but  a  hill  started  at  the  time 
stated  should  bring  about  $4.00 ;  and  later  plantings 
less,  according  to  the  season  and  the  supply.  The 
early  beds  usually  continue  in  bearing  until  about  July 
15th,  or  between  six  or  seven  weeks. 

There  are  very  few  that  raise  an  acre  of  cucumbers 
under  glass  ;  but  where  they  do,  their  receipts  ought  to 
be,  as  a  fair  average  result,  not  less  than  $3,000. 

The  plan  above  described  is  that  followed  by  most 
growers,  as  comparatively  few  have  hot-houses  ;  but 
by  the  method  of  house-culture  cucumbers  may  be 
grown  at  any  time  during  the  season.  Where  crops 
are  to  be  grown  for  continuous  supply  during  the  win- 
ter, the  first  sowing  is  done  early  in  September.  Vines 
of  this  sowins:  will  come  into  bearin'2;  about  Christmas  ; 
and  at  that  season  of  the  year  cucumbers  will  usually 
bring  from  forty  to  fifty  cents  each.  Although  this  is  a 
large  price,  growing  and  selling  them  in  this  way  is  not 
very  profitable  ;  it  is  attended  with  much  risk  and  uncer- 
tainty, and  the  crops  are  always  very  light.  The  vines 
are  left  to  bear  as  long  as  they  continue  doing  well. 
Then  the  ground  is  cleared  off,  and  another  sowing  is 
made,  say  in  January,  and  its  product  is  ready  for 
picking  in  April.  '  In  the  houses  the  vines  are  not 
allowed  to  rest  on  the  ground,  as  they  do  in  the  beds, 
but  are  trained  on  trellises  of  various  styles.  Thus  the 
cucumbers  may  be  seen  with  all  facility  during  growth, 
and  taken  when  ready  for  picking.  Where  cucumbers 
are  grown  exclusively  in  the  houses,  only  two  crops 
can  be  raised  each  winter. 

For  the  first  early  out-docr  crop  the  plants  should 


Transplanting — Best    Varieties.       1 1 9 

be  started  under  glass  about  five  weeks  before  ihey  are 
wonted  for  transplanting.  Thirty-two  hills  are  started 
under  each  3x6  sash  ;  and  when  the  fourth  leaf  is  well 
out  the  hills  are  transplanted  to  the  field.  The  roots 
can  be  saved  from  disturbance  by  using  a  piece  cf 
stove-pipe  eight  inches  in  diameter  and  six  high, 
to  cut  down  around  each  hill;  the  shovel  being  then 
thrust  under,  and  the  plants  thus  enclosed  and  sup- 
ported during  removal.  Where  sods  can  be  obtained 
to,  plant  in  they  are  often  used,  for  convenience  in 
handling  ;  but  the  supply  is  apt  to  be  deficient.  The 
rows  should  be  six  feet  apart;  hills  four  feet  apart  in 
the  row,  and  slighth'  elevated  so  that  water  cannot 
settle  on  them.  At  first  a  close  watch  should  be  kept 
for  bugs  :  plaster  or  other  dust  will  be  effectual  in 
repelling  them.  Cultivate  as  for  any  out-door  crop. 
In  the  bearing  season  the  cucumbers  will  generally 
bring  from  one  to  two  cents  a  piece  ;  and  the  entire 
crop  of  an  acre,  at  this  price,  will  amount  to  $400 
or  $500.  On  high-priced  land  the  entire  crop  should 
be  marketed  for  the  table,  as  growing  for  the  pickle 
factories  cannot  be  made  to  pay.  For  pickles,  the  seed 
may  be  put  in  at  any  time  from  the  middle  of  June  to 
the  20th  of  July.  They  may  be  planted  as  close  as  four 
feet  apart,  each  way.  The  pickles  are  sold  by  the 
thousand,  at  prices  which  vary  greatly. 

Among  varieties  the  White  Spine  is  the  leading 
table  sort  grown  for  this  market,  both  out  doors  and 
under  glass.  Rawsons's  Improved  is  the  best  strain  on 
the  market,  and  this  I  use  exclusively,  in  forcing  and  in 
out-door  culture,  for  table  use.     It  grows  very  even  in 


I20 


Market  Gardening. 


size — crisp  and  good.  The  Early  Cluster  is  a  very  pop- 
ular early  variety,  which  produces  cucumbers  in  clus- 
ters. The  Green  Prolihc,  a  pickling  variety,  favored 
by  many,  has  a  similar  habit  of  growth.  The  Boston 
Pickling  is  considered  the  leading  pickling  variety,  and 


(I)  Early  Cluster.     (2)  Long  Green.     (3)  Early  Frame.      (4)  Early  Rus-.ian. 
(5)  White  Spine.     (6)  Telegraph. 


is  a  heavy  yielder.  The  Long  Green  is  grown  here  to 
some  extent  for  family  use  —  more  largely  in  England. 
The  Extra  Early  Russian  is  an  odd -looking,  netted 
variety,  very  early. 

Dandelion   {LcontoJon   Taraxacum)    is    almost    ex- 


Da  n  del  ion  —  Hoiu  Sozuii . 


121 


clusively  a  Boston  market  crop.  In  this  vicinity,  the 
demand  is  such  that  it  is  grown  by  the  acre  ;  and,  al- 
though there  is  no  demand  for  it  at  present  in  other 
large  markets  (yet  as  the  consumption  here  is  steadily 
increasing)  it  may  be  safely  inferred  that  its  use,  like 
that  of  celery,  is  likely  to  become  more  general.  It,  in 
some  respects,  resembles  endive,  and  certainly  is  one 
of  the  most  healthful  of  all  spring  greens. 


Dandelion. 

It  should  be  sown  in  drills  as  early  in  the  spring  as 
the  ground  can  be  worked.  Although  it  is  a  very 
hardy  plant,  the  seed  must  have  very  careful  treatment, 
in  order  to  obtain  a  good  stand,  and  should  be  covered 
not  over  one  fourth    of    an    inch    deep.     The  ground 


122  Market  Gardcninc^. 

should  then  be  made  firm,  so  as  to  retain  the  moisture. 
In  this  section  they  succeed  best  on  a  rather  I'ght, 
sandy  soil.  It  does  not  need  to  be  very  rich,  or  heavily 
manured.  For  field  culture,  the  rows  should  be  put 
one  foot  apart.  The  dandelions,  when  they  first  come 
up,  are  so  dark  colored  as  to  be  almost  invisible.  A 
little  lettuce  seed,  say  one  ounce  per  acre,  mixed  and 
sown  with  the  dandelion,  will  come  up  quickly  and 
show  the  rows  plainly.  When  sown  in  beds,  to  be 
forced,  the  rows  should  be  six  inches  apart.  Roots 
may  be  removed  from  the  field  to  a  hot-bed,  and 
forced  ;  but  in  any  case  it  takes  somewhat  over  a  year 
from  the  time  of  sowing  to  grow  the  crop.  It  is  mar- 
keted precisely  as  spinach  — thirteen  pounds  weight  is 
considered  a  bushel.  The  price  varies  greatly.  On 
the  forced  crop  from  $r.oo  to  $2.00  is  about  the  range 
of  price.  On  the  out-door  crop,  $1.00  is  considered 
high,  the  usual  average  benig  lower,  and  prices  some- 
times very  low.  At  fifty  cents  per  bushel,  the  crop  is 
a  paying  one.  When  prices  run  high  the  proceeds  per 
acre  often  reach  as  high  as  $i,ooo. 

There  happens  a  failure  sometimes  in  starting  a  crop. 
The  sowing  may  be  renewed  any  time  before  the  first 
of  August,  and  provided  it  comes  up  well,  and  escapes 
scorching  by  the  sun,  the  crop  will  be  just  as  early  as 
one  sown  in  April. 

Women  and  boys  are  usually  employed  to  gather  and 
trim  the  plants,  and  remove  a  portion  of  the  roots  before 
sending  to  market,  at  a  cost  of  about  10  cts.  per  bushel. 

The  roots  are  often  dried,  and  in  this  condition  are 
an  article  of  commerce,  being  used  quite  extensively  for 


Da  n  del  ion  —  Egg  Pla  nt — En  dive.    1 2  3 


medicinal   purposes,  and   in  the  manufacture  of  beer  ; 
and  also  as  a  substitute  for  cojfifee. 

The  Improved  French  Thick-Leaved  is  a  great  im- 
provement over  the  common  variety  ;  and  this  is  now 
grown  almost  exclusively.  It  is  a  very  vigorous 
grower,  and  affords  a  heavy  yield  of  broad,  thick  leaves. 

Egg  Plaxt  (Sola?tu??i  Mtiongena).  The  seed  should 
be  sown  about  March  15th,  either  in  hot-bed  or  hot- 
house, the  temperature  being  kept  between  60°  and  80°. 

After  the  plants  have  reached  a  height  of  three  or 
four  inches,  they  should  be  transplanted  to  four  inches 
apart ;  and  after  they  have  made  a  stocky  growth,  to  such 
size  as  to  cover  the  ground,  they  should  be  again  trans- 
planted to  eight  inches  apart.  Then  they  may  stand, 
and  be  gradually  hardened  oif  until  it  is  time  for  set- 
ting in  the  open  ground. 

The  ground  should  be  thoroughly  prepared,  and  well 
enriched,  as  they  are  rank  feeders  :  they  also  require  a 
good  deal  of  moisture.  They  should  be  set  in  rows 
four  feet  apart,  —  plants  three  feet  apart  in  the  row. 
The  Xew  York  Purple  is  the  principal  variety  grown. 
Black  Pekin  is  earlier  and  hardier,  but  not  quite  so 
large  or  fine-looking.  Early  Long  Purple  is  an  oblong- 
fruited,  early  variety,  of  good  quality.  The  fruit  varies 
somewhat  in  color,  from  a  ver}-  dark  purple  to  a  lighter 
shade  streaked  with  yellow. 

ExDivE  {Cichorium  Endivid)  is  quite  a  rarity  here  ; 
but  it  may  soon  become  quite  a  popular  salad.  In  Xew 
York  and  Philadelphia  there  is  quite  a  demand  for  it. 

Endive  requires  a  good  supply  of  moisture,  and 
should  be  sown  where  .it  will  be  least  exposed  to  heat 


(1)  Green  Curled    Endive.  (2)   Improved    Purple   Egg   Plant. 

(3j  Black    Pekin   E-g   Plant, 


[24 


T  ^a  ricties  of  Eu  diz  'c — Herbs.         1 2  5 

and  drought.  As  it  is  used  principally  during  the  fall 
months,  the  main  sowings  are  usually  made  in  June  or 
July,  in  properly  prepared  beds,  and  the  plants,  after 
they  have  reached  the  proper  height,  are  transplanted 
to  rows  two  feet  apart,  with  plants  at  intervals  of  six 
inches  in  the  row. 

They  have  to  be  blanched  by  gathering  up  the  leaves 
and  tying  them  together  at  the  top  with  bass  matting, 
and  in  a  month  or  six  weeks'  time  (var}-ing  according 
to  the  season),  the  plants  will  be  ready  for  use. 

The  Green  Curled  is  ver\'  hardy,  and  blanched  easily. 
It  is  also  largely  used  for  garnishing. 

The  Moss  Curled  is  a  newer  variety,  and  somewhat 
larger.  It  makes  a  most  excellent  salad,  and  is  also 
very  ornamental.  The  Broad-Leaved  Batavian  is  used 
to  some  extent,  principally  for  soups,  but  is  not  nearlv 
as  good  as  the  curled  varieties. 

Herbs  (Culi?m-\\  Sweet,  or  Medicinal)  constitute  a 
class  of  garden  products,  of  which  some  mention  should 
be  made  here.  It  may  be  remarked  that  Herbs  in 
general  love  a  mellow  and  free  soil  ;  also,  that  care 
should  be  taken  to  harvest  them  properly,  and  without 
exposure  to  wet.  Selecting  a  suitable  day,  cut  them 
when  lacking  a  little  of  being  in  full  blossom,  and  dry 
them  quickly  in  the  shade  in  a  secure  place ;  after 
which  pack  them  close  in  dr\'  boxes  or  vessels,  and 
keep  them  entirely  excluded  from  the  air.  So  treated, 
they  can  be  kept  on  hand  without  deterioration  until 
they  can  be  sold  to  advantage.  Still,  only  a  few  are 
raised,  though  the  list  is  a  long  one.  ^^'e  select  for 
description  a  few  of  the  more  prominent  kinds. 


126  Market  Gardeiiing. 


Anise  {Pimpinella  anisiuii)  is  a  native  of  Asia  Minor 
Greece,  and  Egypt.  The  seeds  are  used  in  medicine, 
also  in  the  manufacture  of  liquors,  and  in  some  parts 
of  Europe  as  a  spice  for  cooking  purposes.  Sow  in 
April  or  May  in  a  warm,  rich  soil,  in  a  permanent 
location. 

Balm  {Melissa  officmalis).  This  plant  is  a  native  of 
Southern  Europe.  It  is  used  for  seasoning,  and  in  the 
manufacture  of  certain  perfumes.  Sow  in  a  warm  loca- 
tion, preferably  in  a  deep,  sandy  loam  ;  though  the 
plant  will  succeed  almost  anywhere. 

Basil,  Sweet  i^Ocymiim  basilicwri)  is  a  native  of 
India.  The  leaves  are  used  for  seasoning,  and,  to  a 
'limited  extent,  for  medicinal  purposes.  Sow  in  hot- 
bed, or  green-house,  if  practicable,  in  March  or  April, 
and  transplant  to  open  ground  after  the  weather  is 
settled.     A  sandy  soil  is  almost  essential. 

Caraway  {Caruin  carvi).  A  native  of  Europe,  pro- 
duces the  "  caraway  seed  "  which  is  so  universally  used 
for  flavoring.  The  plant  is  of  the  easiest  possible  cul- 
ture, no  care  being  necessary,  but  simply  to  scatter  the 
seed  where  the  growth  is  wanted. 

Lavender  {Lavendula  vera)  is  a  native  of  Southern 
Europe  ;  known  everywhere,  and  largely  grown  in  cer- 
tain parts  of  Europe  for  the  oil,  which  is  distilled  from 
the  flowers,  and  is  used  in  perfumes.  The  plant  is  also 
quite  ornamental  and  is  worthy  of  cultivation  on  this 
account  alone.  Choose,  if  possible,  a  deep,  mellow 
soil. 

Marjoram,  Sweet  (^Origamim  marjoraiii).  This  plant 
is    probably  a  native    of    Portugal,   though  found    in 


Herbs —  Con  tin  21  cd. 


12 


other  countries  of  Southern  Europe,  It  is  grown  en- 
tirely for  seasoning  or  flavoring  purposes;  the  leaves 
and  the  ends  of  the  shoots  being  the  parts  used.  Sow 
early  in  the  spring  in  any  good  garden  soil. 

Roseman-  {Rosemariniis    oJic'maHs)    is    a    native    of 
Southern  Europe.     Its  leaves,  when  dried,  are  used  for 


Rosemary. 

seasoning.  The  plants  may  be  grown  from  seed,  but 
the  easier  mode  of  .propogation  is  by  division  of  the 
roots.     A  warm  location  should  be  chosen. 

Summer  Savor}'  {Sahtreja  hortensis).  Native  of  Eu- 
rope. This  is  one  of  the  most  common  of  cultivated 
herbs.  The  leaves  and  tender  leaf-stalks  are  used  for 
flavoring,  and  especially  when  cooked  with  beans  im.- 
part  a  ver}'  pleasant  flavor.  The  seed  may  be  sown  in 
open  ground  in  early  spring;  or,  if  desired,  the  plants 


128 


Market  Gardening. 


may  be  started  under  glass.     A  light,  rich  soil  should 
be  selected. 


Summer   Savory, 

Sage,  Common  {^Salvia  officinalis),  is  also  a  native  of 
Southern  Europe.  The  uses  to  which  this  herb  is  put 
are  numerous,  and  too  well  known  to  be  enumerated. 
Sow  in  spring  wherever  desired,  and  thin  to  six  or 
eight  inches  apart  in  the  row.  A  well-drained  soil  is 
essential.     Give  clean  culture. 

Thyme  {Thymus  vulgaris)  is  a  native  of  Southern 
Europe.  The  leaves  and  young  shoots  are  used  for 
seasoning.  The  plants  may  be  propogated  either  from 
seeds  or  cuttings,  the  former  being  preferable.  Sow 
in  early  spring,  and  in  midsummer  transplant  to  five  or 
six  inches  apart  in  the  row  or  border, 

\ 


Horseradish. 


129 


Sage. 

Horseradish  {Cochharia  Armoracid)  is  raised  from 
sets  saved  during  preparation  for  market  of  the  pre- 
vious crop.  These  are  put  into  the  ground  as  early  as 
the  soil  can  be  prepared.  Plough  four  furrows  together, 
and  thus  form  a  ridge  :  along  the  middle  of  this  ridge 
the  sets  are  planted  by  hand,  eighteen  inches  apart, 
and  covered  two  inches  deep.  A  series  of  ridges  thus 
formed  will  bring  the  rows  about  three  and  one-half  feet 
apart.  A  row  of  spinach  is  sown  on  one  side  of  this 
ridge,  and  a  row  of  beets  on  the  other  side,  leaving 
the  centre  occupied  by  the  horseradish,  which  is  very 
slow  in   staranr.  so   that   the  others  will   not   interfere 


I30 


Ma  rket  Ga  7'den  iiig. 


with  it  at  all.     The  spinach  is  cut  off  early ;  and  \h& 

beets,    after   they   have    made   a   proper   growth,    are 

thinned    for     greens,     while 

those  that  are  left  to  grow  are 

soon  gathered  and  bunched 

for  early  marketing.     By  this 

time  the  horseradish  will  have 

reached   a   height  of  five  or 

six  inches,  and  can  now  be 

hoed  and  cultivated. 

Before  being  marketed  for 
grating,  it  is  washed  by  put- 
ting it  in  tubs  of  water  and 
stirring  and  brushing  with  a 
broom.  It  it  then  usually 
packed  in  barrels. 

For  bunching,  more  pains 
must  be  taken,  and  the  wash- 
ing must  be  a  more  thorough 
one;  after  which  it  is  tied  up 
in  bundles  of  five  or  six 
■  pounds  each,  and  in  this  way 
brings  a  little  extra  price. 
By  the  barrel  it  usually  brings 
from  5  to  6  cents  per  pound ; 
each  barrel  weighing  about 
one  hundred  pounds. 

At  the  foregoing  price,  an  acre  of  horseradish,  if  it 
succeeded  well,  would  bring  a  return  of  about  $350. 
Adding  the  spinach  and  beets,  the  total  product 
should  amount  to  about  $600  per  acre  for  the  year. 


Kohl  Rabi — Sale  and  Use. 


Kohl  Rabi  {Brassica  caulo-rapd)  in  some  respects 
resembles  turnip,  but  is  actually 
a  variety  of  the  cabbage  ;  the 
bulb  is  really  an  enlarged  stem, 
of  a  fleshy,  pulpy  consistency. 
Its  shape  is  that  of  an  almost 
regular  ball;  in  some  varieties 
about  as  large  as  an  averaiie 
sized  orange,  while  in  others  it 
is  nearly  as  large  as  a  man's 
head.  .  In  flavor  it  closely  re- 
sembles the  turnip,  and  partly 
also  the  cabbage,  blending  the 
two.  It  is  highly  appreciated  in  New  York,  especially 
amongst  the  Germans.  It  is  in  its  best  condition  for 
use  before  it  becomes  fully  grown,  even  while  quite 
small  :  and  is  prepared  for  the  table  in  the  sime  man- 
ner as  turnips.  The  seed-bed  should  be  made  in  May 
or  June.  Transplant  to  rows  three  feet  apart,  fifteen 
inches  apart  in  the  row. 

The  crop  is  fitted  for  market  by  bunching  when 
green  and  tender  ;  three  bulbs  being  put  in  a  bunch. 
The  price  obtained  varies  from  seventy-tive  cents  to  one 
dollar  per  dozen  bunches.  Any  ihat  are  left  unsold  may 
be  used  for  stock  feeding.  They  are  often  grown  ex- 
pressly for  that  object.  They  may  be  kept  as  easily 
as  turnips,  and  the  method  of  storing  is  the  same. 
The  Early  V/hite  Vienna  is  the  leading  variety.  It  is 
in  the  best  condition  for  the  table  when  as  large  as  an 
ordinary  cocoanut.  It  is  then  tender  and  of  fine  flavor, 
but  later  on  becomes  tough,  stringy,  and  unpalatable. 


Mai'kct  Gai^dcning. 


Early  Purple  Vienna  closely  resembles  the  preceding, 
except  that  the  color  of  the  bulb  is  deep  purple 
instead  of  greenish  white.  There  is  but  little  choice 
between  the  two.  The  Giant  White  is  larger  and 
coarser,  and  the  Goliath  is  truly  a  mammoth  kind ; 
these  are   raised  only  for  stock. 

Leek  {AU'mm  porrwn)    is    a   hardy  biennial    plant, 


London   Flag   Leek. 


producing  an  oblong  bulb,  or  stalk,  which  has  the  flavor 
of  an  onion,  and  is  used  principally  for  flavoring  soups 


Leek  — 'Lettuee.  1 33 

and  stews.  It  is  useless  to  attempt  its  cultivation  on 
light,  poor  land.  Sow  the  seed  early  in  May,  in  a  well 
prepared  bed,  and  transplant  in  July  to  rows  three 
feet  apart,  putting  two  plants  to  each  foot  of  row,  on 
land  from  which  a  crop  of  cabbage  or  lettuce  has  been 
removed.  Set  them  rather  deep,  and  in  cultivating 
draw  up  the  earth,  so  as  to  bleach  them  slightly  and 
keep  them  tender. 

The  Leek  is  used  principally  during  the  winter 
months,  and  may  be  stored  in  trenches,  in  the  same 
manner  as  celerv  :  or  i::  may  be  placed  in  a  cool  cellar, 
with  the  roots  resting  on  a  layer  of  soil.  In  this  way, 
if  standing  thickly  together,  they  will  take  root  slightly, 
and  keep  very  fresh  and  green  until  late  the  follow- 
ing spring. 

The  Musselburgh  is  the  principal  miirket  variety, 
although  the  London  Flag  closely  resembles  it  and  is 
just  as  good.  The  Giant  Carentan  is  a  newer  sort, 
large  and  of  good  quality,  and  will,  no  doubt,  prove 
quite  popular. 

Lettlxe  i^Lactucci  sativa).  This  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing crops,  and  is  perhaps  the  most  profitable  one  raised 
by  market  gardeners.  It  is  the  only  vegetable  that  is 
continuously  grown  throughout  the  year,  being  pro- 
duced under  glass  in  hot-houses,  or  hot-beds,  in  winter, 
End  in  the  open  ground  ia  the  summer. 

For  forcing  in  hot-houses,  seed  is  sown  for  plants 
of  the  first  setting  about  the  first  of  September,  in  the 
cpen  ground;  these  are  afterwards  transplanted  into 
Ihe  houses.  The  resulting  crop  is  ready  for  marketing 
about  the   middle  of  November.     Sowings   are  made 


134  Market  Gardening. 


about  ten  days  apart,  from  time  to  time,  throughout 
the  season,  so  as  to  give  a  continuous  supply  of  plants. 
Lettuce  seed  is  very  small,  and  when  sown  under  glass 
requires  but  little  covering.     One  ounce  of  good  seed 


lack   Seeded   Tennis-Bail. 


is  sufficient  for  four  sashes  of  the  ordinary  size,  three 
feet  by  six. 

The  culture  of  Lettuce,  as  an  out-door  crop,  is  com- 
paratively easy  ;  but  when  grown  under  glass  it  is  a 
much  more  difficult  crop  to  raise,  as  through  the  winter 
season,  when  the  days  are  short  and  there  is  much 
cloudy  weather,  the  crop  is  likely  to  be  affected  with 
mildew  and  the  green-fly. 

This  green  fly,  or  louse,  is  a  most  difficult  insect  to 
manage,  especially  when  the  plants  have  gained  a 
considerable  size.  The  only  way  to  keep  rid  of  them  is 
to  fumigate  the  houses  thoroughly  with  the  smoke  of 
tobacco  stems.  This  should  be  done  three  nights  in 
succession.  In  order  to  make  sure  of  accomplishing 
the  work,  in  a  week  or  ten  days  after  the  third  smoking 


The  Green  Fly — Prevention.         135 

the  operation  should  be  repeated  ;  and  by  this  pro- 
cess, if  carefully  and  thoroughly  carried  out  at  the 
proper  times,  a  crop  already  attacked  may  be  saved; 
but  it  requires  thorough  treatment.  The  tobacco 
stems  should  be  moistened  before  being  used,  or  the 
heat  will  be  too  much  for  the  lettuce.  Some  skill  and 
discretion  are  necessary  to  determine  just  how  much 
to  moisten  them,  and  how  to  do  the  smoking  in  the 
proper  manner.  On  these  points  a  practical  experience 
is  the  very  best  possible  teacher ;  and  although  some- 
what costly  at  times,  it  affords  one  the  most  instruc- 
tive lessons.  After  the  first  of  February  there  is  but 
very  little  trouble  with  this  insect. 

After  the  plants  have  been  treated  in  this  manner 
they  will    be    ready   for   transplanting    into   beds   or 


Green-Fringed   Lettuce. 


wherever  required  ;  while  if  this  treatment  had  not 
been  oriven  them,  quite  likelv  thev  would  have  been 
spoiled.  Occasionally,  it  is  true,  these  insects  do  not 
trouble  a  crop  at  all  ;  but  it  is  much  the  best  policy  to 
be  on  the  safe  side  and  use  every  precaution. 


1^6  Market  Garde^mig. 

Through  damp  and  cloudy  weather  the  plants  are 
liable  to  mildew,  both  in  the  houses  and  in  frames. 
Although  not  as  troublesome  as  insects,  mildew  often 
destroys  a  crop.  This  can  be  avoided  by  keeping  up  as 
high  a  temperature  as  possible,  while  still  giving  plenty 
of  air.  In  transplanting  lettuce,  the  plants  should  at 
first  be  put  four  inches  apart ;  and  when  they  have 
covered  the  ground  should  be  moved  to  eight  inches 
apart  in  the  houses. 

In  hot-beds,  50  plants  are  put  under  each  3x6  sash, 
which  makes  the  distances  separating  the  plants  about 
seven  and  a  half  inches  each  way. 

The  price  for  lettuce,  through  the  winter,  averages 
about  four  cents  per  single  head,  or  fifty  cents  per 
dozen.  Three  crops  can  be  grown  in  the  hot-houses 
during  the  winter.  Three  can  be  taken  from  the  hot- 
beds also,  if  the  plants  are  started  in  the  houses  and 
grown  there  until  the  last  transplanting. 

The  temperature  in  the  houses  should  be  kept  be- 
tween 40°  and  45°  in  the  night  time,  and  at  from  60° 
to  70"*  during  the  day.  That  of  the  hot-beds  also 
should  be  regulated  in  a  similar  manner. 

In  this  vicinity  the  White  Seeded  Tennis-ball  is 
almost  exclusively  the  variety  raised  for  forcing ;  and 
the  Black  Seeded  is  selected  for  out-door  culture,  the 
latter  being  very  much  larger  than  the  former. 

As  we  have  remarked,  the  first  sowing  of  White 
Seeded  Tennis-ball  is  made  about  the  first  of  Septem- 
ber. The  Black  Seeded  is  first  sown  in  February,  in 
the  houses,  and  then  transplanted  to  hot-beds.  After 
being  hardened  off,  it  is  set  in  the  open  ground  about 


Varictiis — Contijiuous   Cropping.      137 

the  last  of  April  or  the  first  of  May,  and  will  be  fit  for 
cutting  about  the  first  of  June.  The  price  for  this  let- 
tuce is  about  the  same  as  for  that  grown  in  the  houses. 
This  is  either  set  in  the  field,  about  one  foot  apart,  or 
is  set  among  cabbage,  or  in  the  onion  field,  where 
space  has  been  left  for  a  later  growth  of  celer}'.  As 
soon  as  the  ground  can  be  worked  in  the  spring,  a  sow- 
ing of  the  Black  Seeded  variety  is  made  in  the  open 
ground ;  the  rows  being  spaced  one   foot   apart,   and 


White    Paris   Cos. 

every  other  row  being  left  out  so  that  celery  may  be 
set  in  later.  When  the  plants  are  large  enough,  they 
are  thinned  so  as  to  stand  one  foot  apart  in  the  row. 

Sowings  are  made  in  this  way  every  ten  days  until 
about  the  twentieth  of  Auooist.  These  sowinsrs,  taken 
with  those  made  under  glass,  as  described,  give  con- 
tinuously maturing  crops  of  lettuce  the  year  round. 


138 


Alarket  Gardening. 


We  have  described  the  White  and  Black  Seeded 
Tennis-ball;  next  in  order  comes  the  Boston  Fine 
Curled ;  which  may  either  be  forced  under  glass  or 
grown  in  out-door  culture. 

Early  Curled  Simpson  is  another  excellent  curled 
variety,  pale  green  in  color.  It  does  not  form  very 
compact  heads. 

Early  Curled  Silesia  is  a  very  early  curled  sort,  used 


Bath   Cos   Lettuce. 


extensively  for  first  early  out-door  crops. 

Hanson  is  one  of  the  leading  "  head  "  lettuces  for 
out-door  culture,  and  is  extensively  raised  in  the  home 
gardens. 

White  Paris  Cos  is  the  best  of  the  Cos  varieties.  It 
is  a  quick  grower,  and  has  been  rapidly  gaining  in  pop- 


Marty  Ilia  —  Ciiltur 


'€. 


ov 


ularity  for  the  past  few  years.  The  Bath  Cos  is  crisp 
and  fine  flavored,  and  extremely  large. 

The  Green  Curled  is  an  exceedingly  ornamental, 
fringed  variety,  and  is  rapidly  gaining  in  favor  in  family 
gardens. 

There  is  an  almost  endless  list  of  varieties,  but  none 
are  more  desirable  than  those  above  mentioned. 

Martvxia  {Martynia).  The  young  seed  pods  of 
this  plant  are  used  to  some  extent  for  pickling.  It 
is  of  very  easy  culture,  and  will  succeed  in  almost 
any  garden  soil. 

The  seed  may  be  sown  in  the  hot-bed,  —  the  plants 
being  afterwards  transplanted,  —  or  may  be  sown  in 
April  in  the  open  ground,  and  transplanted  later. 
Thev  should  be  spaced  to  three  feet  apart  each  way, 
as  the  plants  are  veiy  spreading  in  habit. 


Martynia. 


On  good  soil  the  pods  are  produced  in  great  abund- 
ance, and  should  be  ready  for  use  in  July  or  August. 


I40 


Ma  rkct  Ga  rdai  iizg. 


Mushrooms  {Agaricus  Campcstris).  This  is  a  very 
peculiar  crop,  and  one  tliat  is  found  in  many  respects 
quite  difficult  to  grow.  The  best  plan  is  as  follows  : 
Take  fresh  horse  manure  and  shake  out  all  the  straw 
and  coarse  part,  using;  nothing  but  the  fine  portion  of 
it.  Mix  this  with  fresh  loam,  one  part  loam  to  two 
parts  manure,  and  turn  the  pile  every  day  to  keep  it 
from  burning,  until  the  fiery  heat  is  nearly  all  out  of  it. 
Construct  the  bed  about  four  feet  wide  and  as  long  as 
required,  putting  in  the  prepared  material  about  eight 
inches    deep,   and    making    it    very  solid   as   it  is  put 


Mushroom    Beds. 

in.  Let  it  remain  in  this  condition,  until  the  tempera- 
ture has  become  reduced  to  90°;  then  make  holes  two 
or  three  inches  deep,  at  a  distance  of  twelve  inches 
apart  each  way,  into  which  put  the  spawn  in  pieces 
about  as  large  as  a  hen's  egg.  Cover  the  spawn  and 
let  it  remain  undisturbed  for  eight  or  ten  days ;  then 


Mushrooms  —  Muskmelons,  1 4 1 


cover  the  whole  bed  with  fine  loam,  to  the  depth  of  two 
inches,  making  it  firm  with  the  back  of  a  shovel  or 
spade.     Apply  water  only  when  the  soil  is  very  dry. 

The  bed  must  be  in  a  covered  situation,  and  in  a 
dark  place,  with  the  temperature  at  about  50°,  and  the 
prepared  soil  must  be  kept  dr)-  from  the  commence- 
ment. If  everything  favors,  the  mushrooms  will  ap- 
pear in  six  or  eight  weeks,  and  will  continue  over  two 
months.  By  careful  applications  of  water  at  the  tem- 
perature of  about  70^  the  season  may  be  prolonged. 

MusKMELON  {Cucumis  Mclo).  The  Muskmelon  will 
succeed  best  in  soil  naturally  strong  and  rich,  and  on  a 
recently  turned  sod.  The  best  way  is  to  turn  the  land 
over  at  the  proper  time  and  apply  about  five  cords  of 
manure  broadcast,  using  a  spreader  where  one  can  be 
had.  Af:er  harrowing  thoroughly,  the  ground  should 
be  marked  off  for  hills,  six  feet  apart  each  way.  A 
shovelful  of  fine  manure  should  be  applied  in  the 
hills,  which  should  be  slightly  raised,  so  that  water  wi'.l 
not  stand  around  the  plants.  Seven  or  eight  seeds 
should  be  put  in  a  hill  so  as  to  make  due  allo.vancc  for 
insects. 

After  the  plants  have  got  their  fourth  leaf  well  out, 
and  have  obtained  a  good  start,  they  should  be  thinned 
to  three  in  a  hill.  Cultivate  both  ways  thoroughly,  the 
same  as  a  crop  of  squash  or  other  vines  would  be 
treated.  They  should  never  be  hoed  or  worked  around 
when  the  leaves  are  wet  with  rain  or  dew. 

In  picking  for  market,  it  is  an  easy  matter  to  tell 
when  the  fruit  is  fit  to  be  taken,  as  the  under  side  of 
the   melon   will    be    lightly   streaked   with  yellow.     If 


142 


Mai^ket  Gardcnincr. 


picked  then   and  exposed  to  the  sun  for  a  couple  of 
days,  they  will  be  ready  for  the  table  of  the  consumer. 

They  are  rather  an  uncertain  crop,  and  are  cultivated 
but  very  little  by  market  gardeners  in  this  section. 

The  melons  of  this  class  are  all  yellow  fleshed. 
There  are  several  varieties;  but  the  Arlington  Long 
Yellow  is  ahnost  exclusively  the  one  here  raised  for 
market.  In  shape  it  is  oblong,  with  a  skin  thickly 
netted,  flesh  thick  and  of  fine  flavor. 

Cantaloupe  is  our  name  for  round  kinds.  These  are 
usually  started  about  I\Iay  ist,  under  glass,  to  be 
transplanted,  about  y^O 
June  I  oth,  to  the  open  ^  ^  ^^ 
field.  The  bed  is 
usually  placed  near 
the  centre  of  the  field 
where  they  are  to  be 
grown,  cind  the  seed 
started  on  sods  i^^ 
inch  by  9  inch,  so  tha!: 
thirty -two  hills  are 
started  under  each  3x6  sash. 

The  Arlington  Nutmeg  is  the  leading  first  early 
variety,  and  is  followed  by  the  Hackensall,  which  is 
one  of  the  most  popular  sorts  for  the  main  crop. 
The  latter  is  of  good  size  and  of  excellent  quality.  The 
Casaba  is  a  large,  late  variety,  and  in  the  Northern 
States  always  requires  to  be  started  under  glass  in 
order  to  give  it  time  to  ripen  its  fruit  before  frost. 

The  Surprise  is  a  variety  of  quite  recent  introduc- 
tion and  of  considerable  merit  for  the  home  garden, 
but  it  is  not  larire  enouirh  for  market. 


Melon. 


Ca  u  ta lo upe  Melons  —  Cu  Ifii  re.        i  ^ 


White  Japan  is  quite  a  popular  sort,  of  most  excel- 
lent quality.  It  is  of  medium  size,  with  skin  pale 
yellow  in  color,  while  the  flesh  is  golden. 

Montreal  Market  is  the  largest  melon  of  its  class  in 
cultivation,  and  derives  its  name  from  being  originated 
and  largely  grow.i  in  the  vicinity  of  Montreal.  This 
is  started  under  glass,  earlier  than  the  others,  and  is 
grown  almost  entirely  in  the  beds  until  the  time  of 
picking.     It  is  a  very  thick-meated.  green-fleshed  sort. 


Montreal    Market   Melon. 

and  is  considered  the  best  sort,  for  table  use,  in  exist- 
ence. Good  specimens  of  its  fruit,  well  grown  and 
ripened,  often  bring  as  high  as  $i.oo  each,  at  whole- 
sale. As  they  produce  more  vines  than  the  other 
varieties  thev  must  be  cfiven  more  room.     Where  one 


144 


Alai'kct  Garacuiug. 


rdch 


hill  is  planted  under  a  sash  the  beds  should  be  set  so 
that  the  hills  will  be  twelve  feet  apart  the  other  way. 
One  plant  per  hill,  at  this  distance,  is  sufficient.  In 
picking  for  market,  it  has  to  be  noted  that  the  fruit  is 
never  ripe  until  the  stem  will  part  readily  from  it. 

Mustard  {Sinapis  alba  and  nigra).     Used  to  some 
extent  for  greens,  early  in  the  spring,  but  more  espe- 


Black   Seeded    Mustard. 

cially  as  a  salad.  It  may  be  sown  in  the  open  ground 
(almost  any  time  after  the  soil  can  be  properly  prepared) 
in  rows  twelve  inches  apart  :  also  may  be  forced  in  the 
hot-bed,  or  hot-house,  and  thus  may  be  had  at  all 
seasons  of  the  year. 

White  Mustard  is  the  variety  best  liked  as  a  salad ; 
and  the  seed,  which  is  of  a  very  bright  yellow  color, 
affords,  when  ground,  the  mustard  which  we  use  on 
our  tables.     Filack  seeded  is  much  like  tlie  preceding. 


Mustard —  Nastii  rtinni  —  Okra.       145 


except  that  the  seed  is  very  dark  in  color  and  the 
leaves  are  a  trifle  more  pungent.  It  is  used  both  as  a 
salad  and  for  manufacturing  into  table  mustard. 

Nasturtium  {Tropceolum  viajus)  is  but  little  grown, 
either  in  the  market  or  home  garden  ;  but  the  shoots 
and  flower  buds  make  an  excellent  salad,  and  the  seeds 
of  the  Dwarf  variety  {T.  invius)  when  pickled  in 
vinegar  can  hardly  be  distinguished  from  caper  sauce. 

It  can  be  easily  grown  in  any  garden  soil,  and  ^vill 
twine  around  brush,  or  any  other  support  that  may  be 
near.  It  is  sown  in  drills,  in  early  spring,  being  cov- 
ered about  one  inch  deep, 

A  large  number  of  varieties  may  be  found  catalogued 
in  the  published  flower-seed  lists ;  but  the  Tall  and 
Dwarf  are  the  only  kinds  grown  in  the  vegetable 
garden.  The  former  grows  to  a  height  of  eight  or 
nine  feet  ;  and  is  a  first-rate  ornamental  plant  to  set  for 
climbing  over  rock  work  or  on  a  trellis.  The  Dwarf 
never  grows  above  three  or  three  and  a  half  feet 
in  height ;  and  this,  when  sown  in  drills,  should  be 
bushed  like  early  peas. 

Okra  ( Hibiscus  esculent  us)  is  grown  for  its  seed  pods, 
which,  when  young  and  tender,  are  used  in  soups  and 
stews. 

It  is  of  very  easy  culture,  as  it  succeeds  on  almost 
any  soil,  and  after  the  plants  are  once  up  and  growing 
is  quite  hardy.  But  the  seeds  should  not  be  put  in  till 
the  weather  is  warm  and  fairly  settled,  —  say  about  the 
loth  of  May,  —  as  they  are  liable  to  rot  if  placed  in  the 
soil  when  it  is  cold  and  soggy.  In  this  one  respect 
they  are  very  tender,  and  are  found  difficult  to  start  ex- 


146 


Market  Gai'dejimcr, 


cept  under  favorable  conditions.  There  are  but  two 
varieties  on  the  list;  these  are  the  Tall  and  Dwarf 
kinds. 

In  the  culture  of  either,  the  planting  should  be 
in  drills,  and  the  covering  two  inches  deep.  If  the 
dwarf  variety  is  planted  at  eighteen  inches  betw^een  the 
drills,  it  will  have  space  enough ;  but  in  cultivating  the 
larger  variety,  three  or  three  ani  a  half  feet  will  be 
none  too  much  room  to  leave  between  the  rows. 


Okra. 

This  plant  is  one  w^hich  requires  nearly  the  whole 
season  to  complete  its  growth ;  but,  if  desired,  a  few 
seeds  may  be  started  in  the  hot-bed  or  hot-house  about 
four  weeks  before  they  are  wanted  for  setting  out  of 
doors,  and  in  this  way  they  may  be  hurried  forward. 

When  used  in  soups,,  okra  imparts  a  \iscous  or 
gummy  consistency,  and  a  peculiar  flavor  which^  to 
most  people,  is  quite  agreeable. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
Vegetables,  Etc.  —  Continued. 

THE  ONION  {AlHum  ccpa)  as  a  paying  field 
crop,  ranks  next  to  cabbage.  For  the  early 
supply,  grown  for  bunching,  onion  sets  are  used. 
These  should  be  planted  in  rich  soil,  using  from  six  to 
ten  bushels  per  acre,  according  to  the  size  of  the  sets. 
Seed  is  also  sown  at  the  same  time  for  plants  to  follow, 
and  maintain  the  supply.  Six  pounds  of  seed  are 
required  for  an  acre.  For  raising  sets,  twenty-five 
pounds  of  seed  are  required,  which  should  be  grown  on 
rather  poor  land,  so  that  they  may  not  run  to  tops  or 
grow  too  large. 

The  White  sets  r.re  put  out  in  the  spring  as  soon  as 
the  ground  can  be  worked,  three  inches  apart,  in  rows 
one  foot  apart,  reserving  every  sixth  row  for  celery. 
This  work  is  usually  done  by  boys,  and  the  sets  are 
covered  in  with  a  rake  by  a  man  who  follows,  walking 
in  the  vacant  row.  Only  two  wecdin^s  will  be  required ; 
but  when  seed  is  sown  three  are  necessar}',  and  the 
plants  are  thinnea  to  three  inches. 

The  sets  will  be  large  enough  for  pulling  about  the 
middle  of  June.     They  are  bunched  for  market,  five  in 

147 


(I)  White  Portugal.     (2)  Danvers  Thick  Yellow. 


148 


From  Sets  or  Seeds. 


149 


a  bunch  at  first,  and  four  when  they  are  larger.  The 
pulling  continues  tnrough  July.  The  price  obtained 
for  those  first  marketed  is  about  sixty  cents  per  dozen 
bunches,  and  the  average  of  the  whole  crop  may  be 
from  thirty-five  to  forty  cents.  The  proceeds  of  an 
acre  should  be  from  S600  to  3800,  and  $300  should 
cover  cost  of  growing. 


Wethersfield    Large    Red. 


Yellow  sets  do  not  differ  as  to  culture  from  the 
white,  but  are  not  used  for  bunching.  Soon  after  the 
tops  drop  over  (about  July  ist),  the  onions  are  pulled 
up  and  left  to  d/y  on  the  ground.  When  they  are 
thoroughly  dry  the  tops  are  cut  off,  and  the  onions  are 
boxed  or  barreled  for  sale.  The  average  yield  (leaving 
out  the  sixth  row  for  celeryj  is  about  500  bushels  per 


I50 


Market  Gardening, 


acre,  and  they  will  bring  a  price  between  $i.oo  and 
$1.50  per  bushel.  In  raising  late  crops  for  storing, 
seed  is  used  exclusively,  and  the  plants  are  thinned  to 
one  inch  instead  of  three.  These  crops  are  allowed  to 
dry  thoroughly  in  the  ground  before  harvesting.  They 
should  be  stored  in  bins  or  boxes  where  a  steady,  cool 
temperature  can  be  kept  up.  For  fall  onions  the  price 
obtained  is  usually  about  $2.50  per  barrel. 

The  Yellow  Danvers,  and  the  White  Portugal  or 
Silver  Skin,  are  the  kinds  grown  almost  exclusively  for 
this  market,  from  sets  and  from  seeds.  In  some  local- 
ities, where  red  onions  are  in  favor,  the  Red  Wethers- 
field  is  highly  esteemed.     It  is  a  very  productive,  large 

sort. 

Parsley  {Apimn  petroscUnum)  is  kept  at  all  seasons 


Fine  Curled   Parsley 

in  continuous  growth,  either  under  glass  or  in  the  open 
ground.     The  plants  for  forcing  are  kept  cut  down  dur- 


Pa  rsle  v — Pa  rsn  ips. 


151 


ing  the  summer,  and  in  the  fall  are  placed  under 

at  three  inches  apart,  in  rows 

about  six  inches  apart.     The 

pickings  may  be  repealed  often 

during  the  season,  after  which 

the  roots  are  worthless. 

The  Fine  Curled  is  the  vari- 
ety chiefly  grown,  and  is  in 
fact  the  most  desirable.  The 
Moss  Curled,  though  similar, 
is  a  little  more  crimped,  Fern- 
Leaved  is  an  ornamental  va- 
riety. Plain  Parsley  is  the 
smooth  -  leaved  sort,  used 
mainly  for  flavoring.  It  is 
hardier,  and  its  leaves  are 
larger  and  of  a  deeper  green 
than  those  of  the  other  sorts 
named.  The  average  returns, 
per  sash  3x6,  from  forced 
parsley  would  be  from  $3.00 
to  $4.00. 

Parsnip  ( Pastinaca  sa  tiva ) 
requires  careful  attention  to 
secure  proper  germination. 
Thorough  preparation  of  soil 
and  early  sowing  will  promote 
that  result.  Sow  in  rows  fif- 
teen inches  apart.  At  this 
width,  an  early  crop  of  spinach 
or  radishes   mav  be   sown   in 


jlass, 


Parsnip. 


152  Marked  Gardening, 

rows  between.  These  will  be  out  of  the  way  before  the 
parsnips  will  crowd  them.  Make  the  covering  not  over 
half  an  inch  deep,  and  thin  to  four  inches  apart.  Any 
convenient  part  of  the  crop  may  be  left  to  stand  in  the 
ground  over  winter  (as  they  are  improved  by  frost),  and 
may  be  dug  for  marketing  any  lime  alter  the  frost  is 
out.  Parsnips  will  do  better  (and  especially  in  case 
they  are  to  remain  in  the  ground  over  winter)  if  sown 
on  ridges  formed  by  lapping  two  furrows  together,  each 
ridge  planted  with  two  rows.  The  ridges  should  be 
thirty  inches  apart. 

Peas  {Pisum  sativu7n\  which  have  been  in  past  years 
highly  profitable,  now  yield  fluctuating  and  uncertain 
returns,  owing  to  the  shipments  of  Southern  growers. 
Where  cabbage  is  to  follow,  the  early  upright  growing 
sorts  are  usually  sown  i:i  three  and  a  half  feet  rows. 
Three  feet  apart  does  well  for  American  Wonder. 
When  squashes  are  to  follow,  two  double  rows  are  put 
in  three  and  a  half  feet  apart,  and  then  a  space  is  re- 
served about  live  feet  wide  for  planting  squashes,  before 
the  peas  are  ready  to  be  removed. 

When  a  suiticient  quantity  of  manure  is  available,  it 
is  always  best  to  manure  the  peas  broadcast  before 
sowing.  When  manure  is  applied  in  this  way,  the 
peas  will  get  as  much  of  it  as  they  need,  and  the  bal- 
ance will  remain  for  the  later  crop.  When  it  is  in- 
tended to  cultivate  in  this  manner,  the  early  varieties 
are  always  sown,  as  the  late  ones  would  not  get  off  soon 
enough.  Sowings  should  be  begun  as  soon  as  the 
ground  is  fit  to  work,  and  continue  at  intervals  of  a 
week  or  ten  days  until  the  first  of  May. 


'cas 


Ea  rl; '  Va  r idles. 


153 


Rawson's  Clipper,  a  new  variety  first  offered  in  the 
spring  of  1886,  has  proved  in  our  trial  grounds  to  be 
the  earliest  in  cultivation.  It  is  of  fine  quality ;  very 
productive,  can  all  be  gathered  in  two  pickings,  and  is 
a  valuable  market  variety. 

The  Daniel  O'Rourke  is  the  standard  extra  early 
kind,  and  is  the  favorite  with  market  gardeners,  as 
the  crop  may  be  gathered  mainly  at  one  picking.  It 
grows  to  the  height  of  two  and  a   half  feet.     The  fol- 


A.T-3ricar\   Wonder,    Dwarf. 


lowing  extra   early 


varieties  (as   is   perhaps   generally 
known)     are     merely    selected    stock    of    the     Daniel 


Tall   Growing  Pea. 


J  54 


Later  Sorts  —  Tall  Kinds.  155 

O'Rourke  :  First  and  Best,  Maud  S  ,  Early  Dexter, 
Carter's  First  Crop,  and  many  others  which  are  named 
according  to  the  fancy  of  the  dealer  offering  them. 
The  Kentish  Invicta  is  almost  as  early,  and  a  heavy 
yielder. 

Among  the  early  wrinkled  varieties  the  American 
Wonder  stands  at  the  head  of  the  list.  It  is  very 
dwarf,  averaging  eight  to  ten  inches  in  height,  accord- 
ing to  the  nature  of  the  soil,  of  the  ver}-  best  quality, 
and  for  the  home  garden  at  least  has  no  superior  for 
an  extra  early  table  pea.  Until  the  introduction  of  the 
Wonder,  the  "  Little  Gem  "'  was  the  leading  dwarf 
wrinkled  variety,  and  even  now  is  quite  popular.  It 
grows  a  trifle  taller  than  the  American  Wonder.  Mc- 
Lean's Advancer  is  one  of  the  leading  varieties  grown 
for  market  and  home  use,  and  i:s  great  productiveness 
makes  it  a  favorite  with  market  gardeners.  It  grows 
to  a  height  of  two  feet. 

Champion  of  England  is  the  standard  late  variety. 
It  is  a  ver\^  heavy  cropper,  and  of  best  quality.  Grows 
about  four  feet  high.  The  Black-Eyed  Marrowfat  is  the 
well  known  old  variety,  and  grows  about  the  same 
he'ght  and  ripens  about  the  same  time  as  the  Cham- 
pion of  England.  The  "Stratagem"'  is  a  new  medium- 
late  variety,  which  is  rapidly  gaining  in  favor.  It  yields 
abundantly,  and  in  quality  is  excellent.  It  seems  des- 
tined to  take  a  front  rank  as  a  market  sort,  being  of 
large  size,  a  heavy  yielder,  and  having  the  advantage 
over  other  varieties  of  being  much  easier  to  pick.  The 
number  of  bushels  of  pods  raised  from  a  bushel  of  seed 
varies  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty,  and 
the  price  usually  averages  about  one  dollar  per  bushel. 


(I)  Sweet   Spinach.  (2)  Sweet  Mountain.  (3)  Squash  or  Tomr.to-Shaped. 

(4)  Monstrous.         (C)  Lon^  Cayenne.         (6)    Cherry.         (7)  Chili. 

156 


Peppers  —  Pot  a  toes,  1 5  7 

Peppers  iCap.icum)  are  usually  sown  under  glass 
about  April  ist,  and  should  not  be  transplanted  to  the 
open  ground  until  the  weather  is  warm  and  settled, 
—  say  about  June  ist,  in  this  locality.  The  pickle  fac- 
tories use  large  quantities,  which  are  grown  very  cheap 
on  contracts  ;  but  our  market  gardeners  raise  them  in 
ver}-  small  lots  ;  merely  enough  to  supply  the  retail 
trade. 

The  Bell,  or  Bull-Nose,  is  a  large  and  mild-flavored 
variety,  and  is  one  of  the  most  popular.  The  Sweet 
Mountain,  or  Mammoth,  resembles  the  Bell  in  some 
respects,  and  is,  perhaps,  just  as  desirable.  The 
Squash,  or  Tomato-Shaped,  variety  is  chiefly  grown 
for  the  pickle  factories.  It  is  very  productive,  and  of 
good  size. 

Long  Cayenne  is  the  strong,  pungent  variety  with 
which  every  one  is  acquainted.  It  is  quite  late,  and 
the  pods  while  still  young  and  green  are  frequently 
used  for  pickling. 

The  Potato  {Solamtm  tuberosiini)  prefers  soils  of  a 
sandy  or  gravelly  nature  ;  although  it  will  succeed,  to 
some  extent,  on  all  soils  ranging  between  a  light  loam 
and  a  stiff  clay,  provided  there  is  just  the  right,  amount 
of  moisture.  But  it  is  worse  than  folly  to  attempt  to 
grow^  potatoes  on  land  that  is  waterlogged,  or  not  well 
and  thoroughly  drained,  either  by  natural  or  artificial 
means.  A  newly  turned  sod,  other  things  being  favor- 
able, forms  the  best  potato  land.  In  our  own  experi- 
ence (especially  on  land  that  has  been  heavily  manured 
for  previous  crops),  the  use  of  stable  manure,  or  of 
wood  ashes,  somewhat   promotes  the  "  scab  "  ;   com- 


158  Alarket  Gai^de7iing. 

mercial  fertilizers  have  given  us  much  the  smoothest 
crop.  Whatever  manuring  is  applied  should,  as  a  rule, 
be  put  on  broadcast.  On  some  lands,  exceptionally 
light  and  dry,  level  culture  may  prove  the  best ;  but 
we  have  succeeded  better  by  a  moderate  hilling  up. 
This  seems  to  keep  the  land  light  and  friable.  Make 
the  cultivator  and  shovel-plough  do  all  the  hilling,  and 
most  of  the  hoeinsr. 


Beauty  of  Hebron. 

The  selection  and  cutting  of  seed  are  important 
points.  We  recommend  medium  sized  tubers,  cut  to 
one  eye.  The  tuber  itself  is  not  a  seed,  but  merely  an 
enlargement  of  the  underground  stem,  and  in  plant- 
ing tubers,  either  entire  or  cut,  we  are  putting  in  (not 
seeds  but)  slips  or  cuttings,  in  which  size  is  not  essen- 
tial ;  but  probably  it  is  better,  as  a  rule,  to  use  good- 
shaped  medium  sized  ones. 

In  a  potato  tuber  held  stem  end  down,  it  may  be 
seen  that  the  eyes  are  arranged  in  regular  ascending 
rotation.      for    advantageously   dividing    it    to    single 


Cutli}ig  Seed  Potatoes, 


59 


eyes  (^as  is  more  especially  necessan-  to  those  who  buy 
new  and  valuable  varieties),  an  excellent  method  is 
delineated  in  the  cut  here  introduced.  An  indentation 
will  be  found  in  each  tuber,  clearly  indicating  the  stem 
end.     The  cuts,  to  be  made  with  a  thin-bladed  knife, 


Cutting  to  One    Eye 


are  all  sloped  towards  it ;  each  cut  removes  one  eye, 
proceeding,    in    succession,    from    the    lowest    to    the 


i6o  Market  Gardenincr. 

Two  or  three  times,  before  the  crop  comes  up,  a 
smoothing  harrow  should  be  run  over  the  piece,  de- 
stroying the  young  weeds  as  soon  as  they  start.  The 
Colorado  beetles,  or  potato-bugs,  formerly  so  much 
dreaded,  are  now  disposed  of  very  easily  by  the  use  of 
slug  shot,  or  Paris  green  :  either  is  sure  death  to  the 
bugs. 

For  digging  the  crop,  there  is  at  present  no  sure 
and  satisfactory  implement  but  the  four-tined  digging- 
fork.  There  is  a  fortune  awaiting  the  man  who  invents 
a  completely  successful  machine-digger. 

Varieties  are  so  numerous,  and  many  are  so  little 
distinct,  that  to  mention  even  a  quarter  of  them  would 
be  confusing.  The  Early  Rose  has  an  almost  endless 
number  of  closely  related  kinds,  such  as  Early  Sunrise, 
Early  Gem,  Chicago  Market,  Early  Vermont,  and 
others.  Present  favorites  are  the  early  and  late  vari- 
eties of  Beauty  of  Hebron.  The  Snow  Flake  is  of 
the  highest  table  quality,  but  not  a  great  yielder,  ex- 
cept in  the  best  land.  Whatever  variety  is  most 
popular  should  be  chosen  to  plant  for  market;  and 
soil  and  cultivation  are  of  far  more  importance  than 
choice  of  a  kind. 

Radish  {Raphanus  sativus).  Until  wdthin  the  past 
few  years  the  culture  of  radishes  has  been  confined  to 
the  open  ground  ;  but  now  the  growing  of  this  crop 
under  glass  has  assumed  quite  important  proportions. 

For  growing  in  hot-houses  the  French  Breakfast  is 
almost  the  sole  variety  used,  as  it  has  a  short  top,  is  a 
quick  grower,  and  of  good  quality.  The  seed  is  sown 
at  any  time  during  the  cold  season,  from  October  to 


Radishes  —  Under  Glci ss. 


161 


French   Breakfast. 


April.  The  crop  is  usually  ready  for  pulling  about 
eight  weeks  from  the  sowing  of  the  seed.  The  temper- 
ature should  be  kept  rather  low, 
say  from  45°  to  60°,  Grown  in  this 
manner  it  will  be  seen  that  three 
crops  may  be  grown  under  the 
same  glass  each  season. 

The  soil  required  10  grow  them 
to    perfection    is    a    loose,    sandy 
loam ;      and     it    should     be    well 
worked,  with  a  liberal  quantity  of 
well    rotted     manure     thoroughly 
mixed   in.      The  seed   is   sown  in 
rows  about  four  inches  apart; 
and  the  plants  are  thinned  to 
about    two    inches     apart    in 
the  row.     When  about  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
they  are  pulled  and  bunched, 
ten    in    a   bunch.     The    price 
varies  from  fifty  cents  to  one 
dollar  per  dozen  bunches  ;  but, 
even  at  the  smaller  price  they 
are    considered    a    profitable 
crop. 

When  grown  in  hot -beds, 
the  Short  Top  Long  Scarlet 
is  preferable  to  any  other.  It 
is  usually  grown  following  a 
crop  of  lettuce  ;  as,  when  the  lettuce  has  been 
grown  the  heat  is  then  nearly  spent,  and  the  loam  is  in 


l62 


Market  Gardening, 


just  about   the   right  condition  for  growing  a  crop  of 
radishes.     It  is  more  suitable  tlian  a  fresh  bed  ;  which 

would  be  likely  to  stimulate 
an  excessive  growth  of 
the  tops. 

They  are  grown  in  rows 
four  inches  apart,  and 
thinned  to  three  inches  in 
the  row :  as  this  variety 
(being,  when  pulled,  about 
the  size  of  clothes-pins) 
will  not  so  well  bear  crowd- 
ing as  the  French  Breakfast. 
Sometimes  a  crop  of  carrots 


is  grown  with  them ;  and, 
when  this  is  done,  every 
third  row  is  left  out  for  the 
carrots.  After  the  radishes 
are  taken  off,  the  carrots 
will  occupy  the  ground  to 
[advantage.  The  glass  can 
Long  scartet  Radish.  \^^  taken  from  thc  bed  early 

in  the  spring  and  used  for  some  other  crop. 

In  some  sections  the  turnip  variety  is  grown,  similar 
methods  of  culture  being  employed ;  but,  for  the 
Boston  market,  those  previously  mentioned  are  raised 
almost  exclusively. 

For  out-door  culture  the  long-rooted  variety  is  the  one 
chiefly  selected.  This  also  succeeds  best  on  a  sandy 
loam,  worked  very  fine  and  light.  It  is  usually  grown 
in  connection  with  some  other  crop.     The  land  beiuji; 


L  a  tcr  Crops  —  I  i  ^in  tcr  Va  rictics.      1 6  ^ 


made  up  into  beds  about  six  feet  wide,  each  ridge  or 
bed  is  sown  with  about  ten  rows  of  radishes  and  four 
rows  of  beets,  parsnips,  or  carrots. 

In  order  to  have  a  succession  for  constant  pv.ll'ng, 
it  is  necessary  to  make  sowings 
every  week  or  ten  days,  from 
the  first  of  April  to  the  middle 
of  June.  The  radishes  must  be 
thinned  to  four  or  six  inches 
apart.  When  pulled,  they  are 
put  ten  in  a  bunch,  and  usually 
bring  three  cents  per  bunch,  or 
$3.00  per  hundred  bunches  (as 
usually  sold).  At  this  price  the 
proceeds    per    acre    would    be 


about  S500. 


The  other  crop  is  not  touched 
until  the  radishes  are  removed, 
but  after  that  it  may  be  culti- 
vated. 

Besides  the  varieties  which 
we  have  mentioned,  the  follow- 
ing are  grown  to  some  extent 
in  home  gardens  and  for  special 
consumption,  viz.  :  Early  Scar- 
let Olive-shaped  (a  very  good  forcing  variety,  good 
also  for  out-door  culture),  and  Wood's  Early  Frame, 
which  is  somewhat  similar  to  the  Lons:  Scarlet,  though 
shorter,  and  is  an  early  and  quite  a  popular  sort. 

The  winter  varieties  are  but  little  grown.     The  Black 
Spanish  and  Chinese  Rose  Winter  are  the  leading  ones, 


Chinese  Rose  Winter. 


164 


Market  Gaj'dcning. 


and  when  grown  for  winter  use  should  be   stored  in 
sand,  in  order  to  keep  them  fresh. 

Rhubarb  (^Rhemn  hybridu7n)  is  now  quite  extensively 


Rhubarb, 


grown,  both  In  field  culture  and  forced  under  glass.  A 
few  days'  time  lost  or  saved  in  getting  into  market  often 
makes  a  difference  of  one  half  in  price.  The  first 
pulling  of  the  out-door  crop  is  usually  made  the  last  of 
April  or  the  first  of  May,  and  the  plants  continue  to 
furnish  a  supply  until  about  the  first  of  July.  It  is  put 
up  in  bundles  which  vary  in  weight  between  15  and  40 


Rh  u  barb  —  Sa  Isify. 


i6s 


pounds,  according  to  the  advance  of  the  season,  and  is 
sold  entirely  by  weight,  the  average  price  being  from 
one  to  ten  cents  per  pound,  and 
average  returns  S300  to  $400 
per  acre.  The  crop  is  forced 
either  by  setting  thickly  in  hot- 
beds or  hot-houses,  or  by  leav- 
ing roots  about  three  feet  apart 
in  the  ground  where  they  have 
grown,  and  setting  cold-frames 
over  them.  The  glass  is  put 
on  about  the  ist  of  Febniar}-. 
The  price  on  the  forced  crop 
varies  e\en  more  than  that  of 
out-door  growth  ;  but  $5  is  a 
fair  estimate  of  returns  from 
each  3x6  sash.  The  two  vari- 
eties mostly  grown  here  are  the 
LinncEus  and  Victoria  —  the  for- 
mer is  the  better  kind,  though 
both  are  good. 

S  A  LS I F  V  (  Tragopogon  porri- 
foUus).  The  culture  of  this 
vegetable,  although  limited,  is 
increasing.  The  crop  will  suc- 
ceed best  on  a  light,  sandy  loam,  well  enriched  and 
thorou^hlv  worked  before  sowing.  The  after  culture 
is  much  the  same  as  for  carrots  or  parsnips.  The 
spring  supply  may,  if  desired,  be  left  in  the  ground 
over  winter,  as  the  roots  are  not  injured  at  all  by 
freezins:.     In  marketing;,  the  roots  are  tied  in  bunches 


i66 


Market  Gardcnino', 


of  twelve  each,  none  but  good  shaped  ones  being  used. 
There  is  but  one  variety,  akhough  there  is  much  room 
for  improvement  in  size  and  smoothness  of  root. 

Spinach  {Spinacea  oleracea)  is  fast  becoming  one  of 
the  leading  crops  of  our  market  gardens,   being  sold 


Arlington    Pointed    Leaf. 


and  used  during  the  whole  of  the  year.  For  winter 
use  it  is  usually  brought  from  the  South.  The  crop 
that  comes  early  in  the  spring  is  usually  sown  about 
the  hrst  of  September,  and  at  the  beginning  of  winter 
is  protected  with  a  covering  of  hay  or  boughs.  This 
crop  generally  lasts  until  about  June  ist,  when  that 
which  has  been  sown  in  the  spring  will  be  ready  for 
marketing. 

It  is  sold  by  the  bushel.  The  receipts  of  an  acre 
when  the  yield  was  generally  large  would  be  about 
$200,  while  if  the  crop  was  scarce  it  might  reach  as  high 
as  $i,oco.  In  spring  culture  frequent  sowings  are 
usually  made  to  furnish  a  continuous  supply. 


Squashes  —  Spinach. 


167 


The  crop  will  bear  a  liberal  amount  of  manure  and 
for  the  fall-sown  crop  a  dressing  of  about  seven  hun- 
dred pounds  Sulphate  of  Ammonia  is  usually  given 
in  the  spring. 

For  the  first  spring  sowing  the  round,  thick-leaved  is 
used,  and  for  later  use  the  Lon:^  Standing.     In  sowing 


Long  Standing   £pinacn. 

for  spring  cutting  the  Arlington  is  the  favorite  as  it  is 
choice  and  hardy.  The  Savoy-Leaved  is  a  curled  sort 
of  good  quality,  and  ver\-  ornamental  in  appearance. 

Squash  {Cucurbit a  melo-pcpo)    is   ver}-  largely  culti- 
vated for  all   markets.     As  it   is  a 
tropical  plant,  in  Xorthern  latitudes 
the  season  is  too  short  for  maturing 
the  later  varieties. 

There  are  two  quire  distinct 
iinds  —  Early  Bush  and  Running; 
the  last-named  being  later.  The 
Summer  Crookneck  and  the  Bush 
Scallop  belong  to  the  former.  The  cultivation  of  both 
these  varieties  is  the    same.      Plant   in  rows  six  feet 


Bush   Scallop. 


i6S 


Market  Gardening. 


apart,  with  hills  four  feet  apart  in  the  row.  If  the 
weather  at  transplanting  favors,  a  week's  time  may  be 
saved  by  starting  under  glass.  They  mature  with  us 
about  the  4th  of  July.  In  some  localities  the  Bush 
.Scallop  is  preferred,  but  in  the  Boston  market  the 
Crookneck  is  more  sou2;ht  for. 


Sunr.mer   Crookneck    Squash. 


The  Early  Marrow  is  planted  about  the  same  time, 
and  matures  about  four  weeks  later.  The  hills  are  put 
nine  feet  apart  each  way;  with  a  liberal  amount  of 
seed  in  each  hill,  as  the  plants  are  just  coming  on  in 
the  height  of  the  bug  season.  Cover  the  seed  about 
one  inch  deep.  Manure  with  about  six  cords  of  stable 
manure  per  acre,  mainly  spread  on  broadcast,  but  put 
one  shovelful  in  each  hill,  and  with  the  latter  mix  one 
shovelful    of   coal    ashes,    to   protect   them    from    the 


Best  Keeping 


Varieties. 


169 


borers,  When  planted  with  spring  greens  on  ground 
manured  with  twenty  cords  per  acre,  the  dressi.^g  in 
the  hill  may  be  omitted.  The  dark,  oblong-shaped 
Marrow  is  a  very  salable  sort,  on  account  of  the  color ; 
but  its  keeping  qualities  are  very  poor.  The  true  Bos- 
Ion  Marrow  is  light-colored  and  quite  round,  and  when 
planted  late  will  keep  almost  as  well  as  the  Hubbard. 

Xext  in  order  comes  the  Turban,  ^vhich  is  followed 
by  the  Essex  Hybrid.  The  two  are  nearly  alike  in  ap- 
pearance, the  only  difference  being  that  the  Hybrid 
has  a  hard  shell.  The  Hybrid  is  much  the  best  keeper, 
and  is  also  of  better  quality.  As  these  varieties  make 
more  vine  than  the  Marrows,  they  should  be  planted 
as  much  as  eleven  feet  apart  each  way. 

They  are  often  put  in  with  a  crop  of  beans  or  peas, 
two  rows  of  peas  or  beans  being  cultivated  in  each  in- 
terval between  the  squash  rows:  and  these  can  be  har- 


Hubbard  Squash.  , 

vested  and  out  of  the  way  before  the  vines  crowd  upon 
them.  These  two  varieties  reach  maturity  about  the 
last  of  August,  and  continue  bearing  through  Septem- 
ber and  October,  or  until  frost.     The  Turban  must  be 


170  Market  Gardening. 

marketed  soon  after  picking  ;  but  the  Hybrid  may  be 
kept  well  into  the  winter. 

The  three  latest  varieties  are  the  Hubbard,  Buttman, 
and  Marblehead ;  of  which  the  first  is  almost  univers- 
ally preferred.  When  picking  for  storing  great  care 
should  be  taken  not  to  bruise  them  or  break  off  the 
stems.  They  are  brought  from  the  field  in  w^agons  and 
put  in  piles,  to  remain  until  quite  dry,  and  then  stored 
in  an  even  temperature  as  near  50°  as  possible. 

Squashes  are  sold  by  weight,  with  exception  of  the 
summer  varieties.  These  are  sold  by  the  dozen.  The 
price  obl:ain2d  is  very  variable.  None  of  the  varieties 
are  accounted  a  paying  crop  unless  they  bring  at 
least  fifteen  dollars  per  ton. 

The  Tomato  {^So!aniim  lycoperskuni)  is  now  very 
extensiv^ely  grown,  and  of  late  there  has  been  a  great 
improvement  in  varieties,  not  so  much  in  respect  of 
earliness,  perhaps,  as  in  size  and  quality.  And  cer- 
tainly there  can  be  nothing  much  more  perfect  and 
handsome  than  the  well-ripened  fruit  of  some  of  our 
leading  varieties.  In  order  to  induce  a  stocky  growth, 
the  young  plants  are  twice  transplanted.  The  second 
transplanting  should  be  made  before  the  plants  com- 
mence to  crowd  and  grow  spindling,  and  this  time  they 
should  be  put  eight  inches  apart.  This  last  transplant- 
ing is  always  made  in  hot-beds,  but  the  first  is  usually 
made  in  the  house;  the  plants  being  put  four  inches 
apart. 

About  the  25th  of  May  the  plants  sown  the  middle 
of  February  may  generally  be  set  in  the  open  ground ; 
and  should  be  planted  in  rows  six  feet  apart,  with  plants 


Tomatoes  —  Their  Cn Itii re. 


171 


five  feet  1:1  the  row.  The  tomatoes  usually  follow  a 
crop  of  spinach:  and  but  little  additional  manure  is 
applied  except  in  the  hill  ;  five  cr  ^ix  cords  per  acre 


Cardinal  Tomato. 


are  usually  put  on  where  the  crop  does  not  follow  sphi- 
ach ;  but  merely  for  hills  about  two  cords  will  be  suf- 
ficient, and  will  push  the  crop  alon^  wonderfully. 


172 


Market  Gardening, 


Hoop  Trained  Tomato. 

The  illustration  shows  what  is  called  "  hoop-train- 
ing." Of  course,  market  gardeners  who  cultivate 
tomatoes  by  the  acre  will  have  no  time  for  this  sort  of 
thin^ ;  but  we  speak  of  it  with  reference  particulLirly 
to  the  ki'xhen  garden,  where  space  is  som.etimes  quite 
an  object.  A  glance  at  the  illustration  will  show  how 
it  is  done,  —  drive  three  stakes  and  fasten  barrel-hoops 
to  these.  It  not  only  keeps  the  vines  in  shape,  but 
also  prevents  the  tomatoes  from  lying  on  the  ground. 


RaiL'sojfs  Puritan  —  The  Cardinal.    173 


In  this  locality  the  first  picking  is  often  made  by  the 
middle  of  July,  and  at  that  early  date  usually  brings  a 
good  price,  sometimes  as  high  as  ten  dollars  per  bushel ; 
but  the  market  soon  declines,  and  often  falls  below 
paying  prices.  The  average  product  of  an  acre  may 
be  reckoned  at  about  S400. 


Puritan  Tomato. 


The  varieties  are  numerous,  but  there  are  fev,-  of  real 
merit.  Rawson's  Puritan  has  been  grown  by  us  for 
several  vears   as  a  leading  earlv  varietv,  and  has  not 


174  Market  Gardening. 

only  proved  to  be  one  of  the  earliest,  but  one  of  the 
most  profitable  as  a  market  variety.  The  Cardinal 
is  a  promising  new  sort,  early,  of  large  size,  very 
smooth,  and  in  every  way  desirable.  The  Acme  was 
for  a  time  a  leading  sort,  and  although  it  rots  badly  is 
very  desirable  where  it  can  be  grown.  The  Mayflower 
is  highly  recommended  as  a  very  early,  smooth  sort, 
equally  desirable  for  market  or  home  use.  Living- 
stone's Favorite  and  Perfection  are  two  most  excellent 
sorts,  and  are  both  good  shippers  and  not  liable  to  rot 
or  crack.  The  Emery  is  the  first  early  market  variety, 
of  good  size  and  quality;  —  but  of  course  the  very 
early  sorts  cannot  be  expected  to  be  as  solid  as  the 
later  ones.     Only  leading  varieties  are  here  mentioned. 

Turnips  {Brassica  rapd).  This  crop  is  not  very 
extensively  grown  in  the  market  garden,  as  the  demand 
is  quite  limited.  The  flat  varieties  are  the  only  ones 
cultivated  for  early  marketing. 

The  soil  best  adapted  to  the  crop  is  a  sandy  or 
gravelly  loam,  well  enriched  and  thoroughly  worked. 
The  seed  should  be  sown  as  early  in  the  spring  as 
the  ground  can  be  worked,  in  drills  about  fourteen 
inches  apart.  After  the  plants  have  reached  the  proper 
size,  thin  to  six  or  eight  inches  apart  in  the  drill.  By 
the  last  of  June,  in  ordinary  seasons,  they  will  have 
reached  the  size  of  an  ordinary  "Boston  cracker"  and 
are  then  ready  for  bunching. 

They  are  tied  five  in  a  bunch  and  marketed  in  the 
same  manner  as  early  beets.  The  Early  Milan  Purple 
Top  and  the  Early  Purple  Top  Munich,  which  closely 
resemble  each  other  in  most  particulars,  are  the  princi- 


Early    Turnips  —  Later  Kinds.       175 


pal  sorts  raised  for  early  bunching,  and  are  certainly  as 
good  as  any. 

The  proceeds  per  acre  of  a  good  piece  of  turnips  is 
about  the  same  as  of  beets,  and  tiie  cost  ot  raising  is 
about  the  same,  but  on  the  whole  they  are  not  as  sure 
a  crop  as  beets,  as  they  are  quite  liable  to  become 
rough,  scabby,  and  wormy,  and  consequently  worthless. 

For  fall  use,  the  seed  may  be  sown  any  time  from 
July  I  St  to  August  20th,  and  they  are  often  sown  with 
grass  seed,  using  about  half  a  pound  per  acre  broadcast 
with  the  grass.  Grown  in  this  way,  their  leaves  serve 
as  a  protection  and  a  help  to  the  grass  plants  as  soon 
as  they  commence  to  start. 

( 


Purple  Top  White  Globe.  Red  Top  Strap-Leaved. 

The  fall  crop  is  marketed  by  the  bushel,  either  in  the 
fall  or  during  the  winter  as  wanted,  and  may  be  stored 
either  in  cellars  or  pits.  For  this  crop,  the  Purple  Top 
\\'hite  Globe,  the  White  lop  Strap-Leaved  and  the 
Red  Top  Strap-Leaved  are  quite  desirable  varieties. 

The  Ruta  Bagas  are  almost  wholly  grown  c,s  a  farm 


176  Mai'kct  Gardening. 

crop,  as  they  are  not  sufficiently  profitable  for  the  mar- 
ket garden.  These  may  be  sown  any  time  during  July, 
and  are  often  used  to  follow  after  a  crop  of  cabbage  or 
peas.  Sow  in  drills  eighteen  inches  apart,  and  thin  to 
one  foot  apart  in  the  row. 

There  are  no  better  Ruta  Bagas  than  the  best  strains 
of  White  Sweet  German,  which  are  almost  universally 
used  both  for  marketing  and  home  use.  The  White 
French,  or  Rock,  is  a  long,  oval  turnip,  very  mild  and 
sweet;  the  flesh  is  solid  and  white,  like  the  German. 

The  London  Extra  Yellow  Swede,  and  the  Shamrock 
Yellow  Swede,  and  Carter's  Imperial,  are  the  leading 
yellow-fleshed  sorts,  and  are  quite  similar  to  each 
other  in  appearance. 


White  Top   Strap -Leaved. 


Water:melons  {Cuciirhita  ciinillus)  are  but  little 
grown  except  as  a  farm  crop,  and  where  land  is  cheap. 
They  can  be  readily  handled  and  bear  shipping  well. 


Watermelons  —  Desirable  Sorts.       177 

What  is  known  as  "warm  land"  is  to  be  preferred  for 
this  crop.  The  soil  should  be  of  a  sandy  or  gravelly 
nature,  and  it  is  not   important   that  it  should  be   very 


Kolb's   Gerr.. 


rich.  Plant  as  soon  as  the  weather  becomes  settled  ; 
ordinarily  about  the  middle  of  May.  Cover  about  half 
an  inch  deep  and  press  the  soil  down  firmly  so  as  to 
hold  the  moisture.  Two  shovelfuls  of  manure  should 
be  put  in  each  hill,  or  one  in  the  hill  with  a  light  dress- 
ing on  top.  The  intervals  should  be  eight  feet  each 
way.  Five  seeds  are  put  in  each  hill,  and  the  plants, 
after  being  well  started,  should  be  thinned  out  so  as  to 
reduce  the  number  to  three.  They  require  the  same 
cultivation  as  squash  or  any  other  field  crop. 

Black  Spanish  is  an  old  reliable  variety,  very  hardy 
and    productive,    and  excellent   for  cultivation.      The 


178 


Market  Girdeiiing. 


popular  Mountain  Sweet  is  a  very  large  oval  variety, 
with  striped  skin  and  thin  rind.  Phinney's  Early  is  a 
very  extra  earh',  medium  sized  sort ;  excellent  for  the 
home  garden.  The  Vick's  Early  is  very  similar  to  it, 
but  perhaps  not  quite  as  large.  ^The  Gypsy  or  Rattle- 
snake, a  favorite  market  variety,  is  oblong  in  shape, 
color  light  green,  beautifully  striped  and  mottled. 
Kolb's  Gem,  or  American  Champion,  a  variety  of  recent 
introduction,  is  also  highly  esteemed  as  a  market 
variety.  It  carries  well,  and  is  of  extra  firm  quality. 
The  Iron  Clad  is  a  favorite  market  variety  in  many 
localities.  It  grows  very  large  and  is  a  good  keeper. 
Scaly  Bark. — This    variety  is   distinguished    by   its 


Scaly   Bark. 


rough  skin.     The  rind  is  unusually  thin,  but  very  tough, 
and  it  bears  transportation  to  a  great  distance  without 


Citron  Melon  —  Chinese   Yam,        i 


79 


injur}-.   The  well-known  Citron  Melon  is  raised  entirelv 
for    preserving    and    is   wholly    valueless    otherwise. 


Citron    Melon. 

Yam.  Chinese  iDioscorea  Batatas').  Although  this 
vegetable  has  been  cultivated  in  this  country  for  several 
years,  it  has  not  been  extensively  advertised,  and  for 
that  reason  has  not  obtained  the  popularity  which  it 
merits.  It  is  really  one  of  the  most  valuable  esculents 
in  cultivation.  The  plant  when  growing  unsupported 
is  of  a  creeping  habit,  similar  to  the  sweet  potato,  but 
it  makes  a  ver}'  pretty  climber  for  screens  and  trellises. 
The  vine  will  grow  to  a  length  of  from  ten  to  twenty 
feet,  according  to  soil  and  location.  The  leaves  are 
ver)-  dark  in  color,  and  heart  shaped  ;  the  flowers  are 
small,  white,  and  grow  in  clusters.  The  root  is  of  pale 
russet  color,  oblong,  regularly  rounded,  club  shaped, 
larT:est  at  the  lower  end. 


i8o 


Alarket  Gardenincr. 


Chinese  Yam. 


The   roots,  cut   in  pieces  an  inch  long,  or  bulblets, 
should  be  planted  at  eight  inches  apart.     A  deep,  light 


Characteristics  —  Propagation.        1 8 1 

soil,  moist  and  well-enriched,  is  best  adapted  to  the 
plant.  A  well-grown  root,  two  years  from  the  bulblet, 
should  measure  two  feet  in  length.  They  may  be 
cooked  either  by  steaming  or  roasting ;  and  the  flesh 
will  be  found  ver\'  white  and  of  most  agreeable  flavor. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  find  a  plant  of  easier  culture, 
as  the  roots  are  perfectly  hardy,  and  can  be  kept  grow- 
ing year  after  year  in  the  same  location  if  desired. 
There  is  no  insect  that  troubles  either  the  vine  or 
luber,  and  no  vine  can  exceed  it  in  vigor  of  growth. 
They  increase  naturally  from  the  small  tubers,  or  bulb- 
lets,  which  form  along  the  vine  just  above  the  leaf 
joints.  These  should  be  gathered  in  the  fall,  and  pro- 
tected against  freezing  during  the  winter.  They  may 
le  planted  any  time  during  the  spring,  after  danger 
of  severe  freezing  is  past.  The  flowers  have  a  pecu- 
liar cinnamon-like  fragrance:  hence  the  name  '•  Cinna- 
r/.on  Vine,"  under  which  some  dealers  have  sent  it  out. 

When  grown  in  the  garden,  and  merely  for  the  tubers, 
the  vines  may  be  allowed  to  nm  on  the  ground ;  but  if 
bulblets  are  desired,  these  will  be  produced  in  greater 
abundance  when  poles  or  other  supports  are  employed 
to  keep  the  vines  up  from  the  soil. 


l82 


CHAPTER   VII. 


Farm    Implements  —  Remedies  or  Preventives  of 
Disease  —  Conclusion. 


MATERIAL  improvements  have  been  made  with- 
in the  past  few  years  in  agricultural  implements, 
and  many  of  the  tools  which  are  now  used  in  the  mar- 
ket garden  and  on  the  farm  are  either  of  recent  inven- 
tion, or  entirely  different  in  style  and  quality  from  those 
which  were  in  use  only  eight  or  ten  years  ago  ;  although 
some  of  the  more  common  ones,  such  as  are  required 
and  in  use  by  ever}-  farmer  and  gardener — hoes,  rakes, 
forks,  spades,  etc. —  have  but  little  changed. 

There  is  a  considerable  opportunity  for  choice,  even 
amongst  small  tools  of  almost  the  same  pattern  and 
make.  No  good  shoveler  is  quite  satisfied  unless  he 
can  have  his  own  shovel  to  work  with  —  it  fits  his  hand 
better  than  any  other.  Hoes  and  forks  have  their 
peculiar  merits  and  demerits,  such  as  can  hardly  be 
accounted  for  upon  a  cursory  examination,  but  in  long 
continued  use  become  apparent.  All  these,  however, 
involve  but  little  outlay,  and  their  possible  peculiarities 
are,  therefore,  of  less  importance  to  be  discussed ;  but 
of  course  the  clumsy  ones  should  be  avoided,  or  dis- 
carded as  soon  as  convenient ;  and  better  ones  should 

'§3 


1 84 


Market  Gardening. 


be  watched  for,  and  secured  as  soon  as  obtainable. 
All  agree  in  advising  use  of  the  best  tools.  Good 
tools  make  cultivation  easier,  and  crops  better  in 
amount  and  quality.  There  should  be  a  tool-house, 
which  should  also  have  an  outfit  for  making  small  re- 
pairs. Tools  after  use  should  be  immediately  returned 
to  place.  They  should  always  be  cleaned  off  before 
being  left ;  iron  and  steel  parts  should  be  wiped  and 
oiled,  or  treated  with  some  more  thorough  dressing, 
according  to  their  liability  to  rust,  and  the  length  of 
time  they  are  likely  to  remain  unused. 


(I)  One-Horse   Landside       (2)  Medium   Two-Horse    Landstde. 

We  have  seen  that  the  first  requisite  in  preparing  for 
a  crop  is  to  pulverize  the  soil ;  and  since  the  Plough 
is  very  efficient  for  this  service  (and  in  fact  quite  indis- 
pensable), it  is  manifestly  one  of  the  most  important  of 
agricultural  implements.     Amongst   so   many   varying 


Ploughs  for  Special  Uses. 


185 


styles,  and  different  manufacturers  competing  for  pref- 
erence, it  is  a  natural  question  to  ask  which  is  the  best. 
There  is  no  complete  answer  that  can  be  given  to  this 
inquiry-.  Nearly  all  of  the  leading  st\-les  are  of  prac- 
tical use,  and  each  has  its  own  peculiar  and  individual 


S^  '-.y   P;ou£h  ir,  Oper 


merits.  In  cenain  soils  and  for  certain  purposes,  one 
kind  of  a  plough  will  often  be  found  to  do  the  work 
and  answer  the  purpose  in  view  better  than  another, 
while,  under  different  conditions,  the  latter  might  be 
decidedly  the  more  ser\'iceabie  of  the  two. 

All  the  different  makes  now  in  favor  are  good,  and 
some  are  known  to  be  specially  adapted  to  certain 
kinds  of  work.  For  example,  a  mould  board  that  lifts 
and  turns  the  slice  ver}-  gradually  will  operate  easily, 
and  turn  the  bottom-side  uppermost  with  the  least  pos- 
sible disturbance  of  the  earth  : —  a  shorter  mould  board 


1 86 


Market  Gardening: 


with  a  quicker  twist  will  stir  and  pulverize  the  soil. 
No  one  need  have  any  difficulty  in  finding  one  which 
will  serve  his  purpose  when  he  knows  what  he  wants. 

Sulky-ploughs,  and  sulkies  attached  to  ordinary 
ploughs,  are  well  adapted  for  use  on  level  land,  when 
a  large  amount  of  work  is  to  be  done.    (See  cut  p.  185.) 

The  two-horse  land-side  plough  (two  sizes  of  which 
are  shown  amongst  the  last  preceding  illustrations)  is 


Two-Horse   Swivel. 


the  one  most  used.  Even  in  this  class,  different  makers 
have  different  styles,  and  each  claims  for  his  own  that 
it  is  the  best;  but  every  cultivator  should  judge  for 
himself  which  is  the  best  adapted  to  his  needs,  and 
endeavor  to  confirm  his  judgment  by  actual  trial, 
before  purchasing.  ]\Iuch  use  also  is  made  of  the 
swivel  plough.  The  large-sized  pattern  here  shown  is 
chiefly  designed  for  breaking  up  sod  land.  It  would 
rarely  be  needed  for  this  use  by  market  gardeners,  but 
is  occasionally  required  for  various  other  services.  A 
small,  or  one-horse  swivel  plough,  is  often  found  very 


Various  Patterns  Required,  1S7 

convenient,  especially  in  ploughing  ciose  to  fences. 
Wherever  the  land  needs  to  be  thrown  all  one  way  the 
swivel  pattern  comes  into  requisition. 

The  different  patterns  of  ploughs  which  should  be 
provided  include  one  ver}-  large   and  one  of  medium 


(I)  Sub-Soil   Plough.       (2)  Double  Mould   Board 


size  (both  land  side),  and  also  a  sub-soiler,  of  which  the 
form  and  operation  may  be  understood  from  the  cut 
here  inserted.  Each  of  these  is  to  be  worked  with  two 
horses.  As  already  said,  where  much  ploughing  is  to 
be  done,  a  sulky  is  ver\'  useful.  Provide  also  one  (side- 
hill  or)  swivel  plough  for  one  horse,  two  single  (or  one- 


1 88 


Market  Gardeiiing. 


horse)  land-side  ploughs,  and  a  very  small  one  with 
double  mould  board,  suitable  for  going  between  narrow 
rows  —  one  which  will  throw  up  the  dirt  but  very  little. 


Geddes   Harrov/. 

Next,  perhaps,  in  importance  to  the  plough  comes  the 
Harrow.  Of  harrows,  there  are  almost  as  many  styles 
as  of  ploughs.  The  cheapness  and  solid  construction 
of  the  primitive  A  harrow  are  about  all  it  has  to  recom- 
mend it,  although  it  can  be  used  as  a  "  scarifier  "  now 
and  then,  as  well  as  anything  else  ;  and  at  the  first  com- 
ing up  of  crops  planted  in  rows  (as  explained  on  page 
62),  it  can  be  adapted  by  a  little  ingenuity  to  a  very 
useful  purpose. 

It  is  evident,  on  referring  to  the  cut  here  presented 
of  the  Geddes   or   jointed  harrow,  that  it  will  do  the 


Ha  rroi^ 's  —  Bes/  P u  hcrizcr. 


89 


same  work  as  done  by  the  A  pattern ;  and  much  more 
expeditiously,  and  thoroughly;  requiring,  it  is  true, 
more  power  from  the  team,  but  not  in  full  proportion 
to  the  increased  work  accomplished.  Its  jointed  or 
hinged  construction  is  favorable  to  its  use  on  uneven 
ground,  but  is  not  especially  advantageous  in  any  service 
the  market  gardener  is  likely  to  require. 

For   pulverizing    the    soil    following    the    ploughing 
the    La    Dow   disk    or    wheel 
harrow  is  by  far  the  best.     Its 
merits    have    been    recognized 
in    reports    published    by    the 
United    States   Commissioners 
of   Agriculture;    and  there  are 
said  to  be  many  thousands  of 
this    form    of    harrow    now   in 
use  in  this  country  and  abroad. 
The     inventor     furnishes    the 
following     description :       The 
disk    gangs,    being    united    by 
a    series    of     universal     joint 
boxes,  allow  each    part  to  ac- 
commodate itself   to  uneven  surfaces.     Working  in  a 
holow  or  dead  furrow,  or  over  ridges  and  obstructions, 
the  disks  adjust  themselves  to  the  surface  over  which 
they  pass,  cutting  an  uniform  depth,  and  drawing  more 
easily  than  if  the  gangs  were  rigidly  connected.     The 
inner  disks  of  each  gang  are  brought  near  to  a  cutting 
edge  with  each  other,  throwing  the  loosened  earth  in 
opposite  directions  outward,  thus  escaping  the  ridge  in 
the  centre,  which  has  been  a  great  objection  heretofore. 


La  Dow  Disk  Harrow. 


190  Market  Gardening. 


Both  gangs  of  disks  stand  at  a  relative  angle  to  each 
other,  thus  overcoming  any  tendency  to  work  sidewise 
to  the  line  of  draft.  The  driver  can,  without  leaving 
his  seat,  change  the  angle  of  both  gangs  at  once,  by 
means  of  the  hand  lever,  and  instantly  fasten  them  at 
any  desired  ang^e.  The  journals  are  protected  from 
dirt  and  provided  with  self-feeding  oil  cups,  and  the 
whole  harrow  being  of  iron  (except  the  pole  and  seat- 
standard)  will  bear  exposure  to  the  weather  without 
injury. 

The  construction  is  such  as  admits  of  any  part 
being  easily  removed  or  replaced  ;  and,  in  connection 
with  the  system  of  bracing  employed,  renders  this  the 
lightest,  easiest  handled,  and  stronojest  Disk  Harrow 
on  the  market.  This  harrow  is  certainly  one  of  the 
best  in  use  at  the  present  time.  It  is  very  strong  and 
durable,  and  does  the  work  in  the  best  of  shape.  It 
pulverizes  the  land  and  works  it  to  a  depth  of  about  six 
inches,  which  is  nearly  the  maximum  depth  that  we 
plough  for  putting  in  crops.  For  breaking  up  the  lumps 
on  ground  that  has  been  trodden  hard  it  has  no  equal. 
But  where  smoothing  the  surface  is  the  object  mainly 
in  view,  a  "  smoothing  harrow  "  should  be  used. 

The  Meeker  Smoothing  Harrow  is  employed  either 
for  leveling  the  surface  of  land,  that  it  may  be  ploughed 
evenly,  or  after  the  ploughing  to  prepare  it  for  the  seed 
sower.  The  frame  is  square  —  six  feet  eight  inches  by 
six  feet  one  inch  —  with  four  sets  of  rollers,  having  on 
them  fifty-eight  disks  of  eight  inches  diameter.  On 
the  two  forward  rollers,  the  disks  are  six  inches  apart, 
and  on  the  two  rear  rollers,  three  inches   apart.     The 


Smoothing  Har^row  —  Roller.         igi 

disks  on  each  set  of  rollers  work  between  those  of  the 
other.     The  board  in  the  centre  is  set  at  an  ansfle,  is 


Meeker   Smoothing  Harrow. 

adjusted  up  and  down,  and  acts  as  a  leveller.  The 
disks  grind  all  lumps  so  fine  that  seed  must  come  up. 
It  mashes  small  stones  below  the  surface  better  than 
any  field  roller  ;  and  levels  the  ground  at  the  same  time, 
which  a  field  roller  does  not  do.  When  the  object  is 
to  prepare  for  the  seed-sower,  the  smoother  should  be 
driven  first  across  the  piece  to  make  it  level,  and  then 
len2:thwise,  conforminsr  to  the  direction  in  which  the 
rows  are  to  be  planted.  It  does  its  work  rapidly  and 
well,  and  saves  time  and  labor  in  the  use  of  hand-rakes. 
For  ccnipleting  the  preparation  of  the  soil,  prior  to 
planting,  the  Roller  next  claims  our  attention.  The 
nature  of  the  service  it  performs  has  already  been 
treated  of  in  our  preceding  chapter  on  soil-preparation. 
The  cut  on  the  following  page  exhibits  the  style  and 
construction  of  a  good  Roller.  The  revolving  portion 
is  formed  in  sections,  so  that  it  turns  without  dragging ; 
and  the  frame  carries  a  box  which  may  be  loaded  with 
stones  at  discretion,  to  increase  the  weight  whenever 
required.  We  desire  to  insist  strongly  upon  the  need 
of  making  more  use  than  is  ordinarily  made  of  this 
very  important  implement. 


192 


The  Planet,  Jr.  Cultivator.  193 


Next  in  order  of  usefulness  comes  the  Cultivator, 
After  the  land  has  been  ploughed,  subsoiled,  harrowed, 
rolled,  and  planted,  this  serviceable  implement  is  called 
into  requisition.  It  executes  with  thoroughness,  dis- 
patch, and  economy  a  large  amount  of  work  that  used 
to  be  laboriously  performed  with  hand-hoes.  Many 
varieties  are  offered  to  choose  from,  and  the  choice  I 
recommend  may  not  accord  with  everyone's  individual 
opinion,  but  I  consider  the  Planet,  Jr.  (see  cut  p.  194) 
on  the  whole  the  best  I  have  ever  seen;  principally  be- 
cause it  can  be  put  into  so  many  different  shapes,  by 
varying  the  combination  of  its  parts,  and  thus  so  many 
different  kinds  of  work  can  be  done  with  it. 

It  stirs  and  pulverizes  the  ground,  destroying  weeds, 
giving  aeration,  and  promoting  moisture  about  the 
roots  of  the  growing  plants  ;  it  will  throw  the  earth  to 
or  from  the  rows  as  may  be  desired;  i:  does  pretty 
much  all  that  can  be  done  with  a  hand-hoe  in  cultivat- 
ing the  crop.  Many  who  are  using  this  implement 
to-day  do  not  hoe  their  crops  at  all  by  hand  work.  It 
requires  discretion  and  skill  to  obtain  such  effective 
results  from  its  use,  but  there  is  no  question  that,  in  the 
hands  of  one  who  thoroughly  understands  its  capabili- 
ties, it  can  be  made  to  do,  at  a  greatly  reduced  cost,  a 
lar^e  amount  of  hoein-r  formerlv  done  with  the  hand- 
hoes. 

Besides  being  economical  on  the  score  of  expense,  it 
is  also  highly  advantageous  in  enabling  the  far  more 
rapid  execution  of  the  work.  Crops  often  suffer  for 
want  of  a  timely  stirring  of  the  soil,  especially  in  times 
of  drought ;  weeds  must  be  cut  down  as  soon  as  they 


194 


Market  Gardening. 


show  themselves  ;  even  when  neither  weeds  nor  drought 
threaten  the  crops  it  is  beneficial  to  the  soil,  and  thus 
to  the  growing  plants,  that  it  should  be  turned  or  stirred 
as  frequently  as  may  be,  to  give  it  life.  Hand  labor  is 
manifestly  unequal  to  carrying  out  work  of  this  descrip- 
tion :  it  costs  too  much,  and  goes  over  too  little  ground 
in  a  day. 

The  implement  shown  in  our  illustration,  under  the 
nam.e  of  Planet,  Jr.  Cultivator  and  Coverer  Combined, 
meets  the  exigencies  we  have  described  in  a  thoroughly 
satisfactory  manner.      No  farmer  or  market-gardener 


Pl-net.   Jr. 


can  afford  to  dispense  with  this  or  some  equivalent  form 
of  cultivator.  It  combines  in  a  single  machine,  the 
Horse-hoe,  Cultivator,  Plough,  and  Coverer.  The  side- 
hoes  or  plates  are  reversible,  thus  giving  double  wear  ; 
and  the  standards  have  adjustments  that  allow  more  or 
less  hilling,  and  also  regulate  the  depth,  in  conformity 
with  the  object  or  purpose  for  which  it  is  to  be  used. 
This  adjustability  is  a  most  important  feature,  in  suiting 


Sundry  Sma/l  Tools.  195 


its  use  to  various  soils  or  crops,  or  to  various  stages 
of  growth.  That  position  of  the  standards  or  hoes 
which  is  shown  in  the  illustration,  is  the  one  which 
casts  the  earth  toward  the  rows;  but  whenever  the 
opposite  result  is  aimed  at,  it  can  be  arranged  for  by 
merely  changing  their  positions,  putting  each  on  the 
opposite  side,  the  work  of  a  few  moments  only.  Al- 
though the  present  is  an  age  of  improvements,  and 
predictions  are  always  rash,  I  consider  it  next  to  impos- 
sible that  this  implement  will  be  superseded  or  very 
much  improved  upon. 


\w—  .    -  -— 


Spade. 


The  Hand-hoe  most  used  by  market-gardeners  is  one 
rather  wide  and  thin,  say  ten  inches  by  four  inches  for 
the  blade  ;-and  on  light  sandy  land,  such  as  they  qui:e 
generally  have  in  cultivation,  one  of  this  description 
will  be  found  very  much  to  be  preferred.  The  Shovels 
used  are  of  two  kinds,  one  with  short  handle  and  squara 
blade,  the  other  with  a  long  handle  and  round  point. 
The  former  is  always  employed  for  putting  the  heating 
material  into  hot-beds,  the  square  part  being  convenient 
for  making  the  bottom  of  the  bed  sniooth  and  even. 
The  long  one  serves  best  for  banking  celer)-  and  oro.i- 
nary  work  around  the  fences  and  buildings.    The  Spade 


196 


Slide -Hoe —  Wheel-Hoe. 


97 


is  a  tool  that  is  little  used  except  to  dig  horse-radish 
and  roots,  and  occasionally  for  digging  celery  when  it 
is  large  and  cannot  be  thrown  over  with  the  plough. 

The  Six-tined  and  Five-tined  forks  are  the  ones  most 
used  for  pitching  manure,  digging  in  hot-beds,  and  all 
the  work  done  with  a  fork. 

The  Slide-Hoe  is  used  mostly  between  the  rows  of 
beets,  lettuce,  spinach,  onions,  dandelions,  parsley, 
celery,  and  all  the  crops  sown  by  machine.  This  tool 
is  made  in  different  widths  so  as  to  fit  the  varying  in- 
tervals between  the  rows  for  which  it  is  intended.  The 
smallest  are  four  inches  wide,  and  they  are  made  to 
range  upwards  to  twelve  inches.  They  are  used  by 
sliding  them  in  a  direction  parallel  with  and  along  the 
row,  and  the  knives  enter  the  soil  to  a  depth  of  about 
one  inch,  making  the  land  loose  and  light  on  the  top, 
and  destrovins:  the  weeds. 


Little  Gem  Wheel-hoe. 

The  Little  Gem  Wheel-Hoe  is  a  hand  implement, 


198  Market  Gardening, 

combining  some  of  the  characteristics  of  the  horse  hoe, 
or  cukivator,  and  the  slide  hoe  ;  thus  producing  a  very 
serviceable  tool.  It  is  well-proportioned,  as  regards 
size,  to  the  work  to  be  done  ;  built  light  and  strong : 
all  iron  and  steel,  except  handles ;  well  made,  and 
handsomely  finished,  and  adjustable  in  every  way.  It 
is  made  with  single  wheel,  for  use  between  the  rows  ; 
and  also  with  double  wheel,  for  use  astride  the  rows. 


Arlington    Seed    Drill. 

The  Seed-Sower  or  Drill,  is  one  of  the  most  useful 
and  labor-saving  implements  in  the  entire  outfit  of 
the  market  garden.  It  is  used  to  sow  nearly  all  kinds 
of  seed.  Even  peas  and  beans  are  ordinarily  sown  by 
this  machine.  The  quantity  of  seed  sown  is  regulated 
by  small  tins,  with  holes  affording  passage  for  the 
seeds  to  the  exact  amount  required,  and  the  distance 
between  rows  is  regulated  or  marked  by  a  chain  which 
is  made  to  drag  from  an  adjustable  arm.  While  one 
row  is  being  sown,  the  next  one  is  marked  by  the  chain. 
The  adjustable  arm  is  a  stick  pierced  with  little  holes, 
and  placed  across  the  handles  of  the  machine.  The 
depth  of  the  sowing  is  regulated  by  raising  or  lowering 


Seed  Drills — Field  Marker.         199 

the  tooth  which  ploughs  a  little  furrow  for  the  seed  to 
drop  in.  The  seed  may  be  sown  from  one-fourth  of  an 
inch  to  three  inches  deep,  and  is  covered  by  two  little 
blocks,  so  arranged  as  to  draw  the  dirt  over  upon  the 
seed.  This  is  followed  by  a  roller,  which  is  regulated 
by  a  spring  so  as  to  roll  heavy  or  light  as  may  be  de- 
sirable. The  machine  represented  in  the  illustration  is 
called  the  Arlington  seed  drill.  It  is  altogether  the 
best  one  ever  seen  by  me,  and  ever}'  one  who  has  it  in 
use  approves  it  highly. 

The  Little  Gem  drill  is  small  but  efficient.  It  was 
devised  in  response  to  a  general  desire  among  small 
gardeners  for  an  inexpensive  drill  which  will  do  perfect 
work;  and  it  satisfies  this  demand  completely. 


e   Gem   Dril". 


Rawsox's  Field  Marker  is  a  ver\^  useful  tool.  It 
will  work  either  ten,  twelve,  twenty  or  twenty-four  inch 
intervals  by  simply  changing  the  pins  in  the  wheel, 
which  are  put  in  with  a  nut.  It  requires  no  line, 
unless  you  are  very  particular,  and  it  ulll  mark  as  fast 
as  a  man  can  walk.     It  is  found  especially  useful  in 


200 


Market  Gardening, 


setting   out    cabbage,  cauliflower,  celer}',  lettuce,  etc. 


Rawson's   Field    Maiker. 


After  once  using   this   implement,  no  farmer  will    be 
willing  to  be  without  one. 

The  two  Markers  intended  for  lettuce,  and  shown  in 
the  next  cut,  are  used  in  marking  the  beds  for  let- 
tuce to  be  grown  under  glass.  One  marks  five  rows 
— one  under  each  row,  or  light  of  glass,  when  there  are 
five  li":hts  wide  in  each  sash  of  six  inches  each.     The 


other  is  then  used  to  mark  ten  places  for  plants  in  each 
row,  thus  making  fifty  plants  under   each  sash.     The 


Hoi -Bed  Mai^kcrs — Cabbage-Carrier.  201 

bed  is  prepared  with  the  sash  off,  and  when  the  sash  is 
to  be  put  in  place  over  the  bed,  each  space  is  marked 
by  the  two  men  putting  on  the  glass  —  the  one  on  the 
lower,  or  front  side,  using  the  one  with  the  handle,  and 
the  man  on  the  back  side  using  the  other  marker. 

The    marker   with    ten    teeth,  next    represented,  is 
for  sowing  radishes  or  cabbage  or  '  ntuce  seed.     Mark 


Nine   Row   Marker. 

the  rows  by  drawing  the  teeth  from  the  back  side  of  the 
bed  towards  the  front,  bearing  down  so  as  to  make  the 
furrows  deep,  if  required:  and  always  making  the  first 
tooth  of  the  marker  follow  for  a  guide  the  row  just 
made  by  the  last  tooth,  thus  making  nine  rows  under 
each  sash  four  inches  apart. 

The  Cabba;2:e  Carrier  is  ven;  useful.     It  is  liiiht  and 


202 


Market  Garde. 


nuig. 


durable,  and  can  easily  be  carried  between  the  rows  of 
cabbages.  It  is  made  of  such  size  as  to  hold  all  that 
two  men  will  want  to  carry. 


Cabbage   Carrier, 


In  transporting  produce  to  market,  a  very  substantial 
wagon  is  used.  As  regards  construction,  it  corresponds 
in  some  points  to  those  ordinarily  used  in  the  city  for 
moving  heavy  furniture,  or  for  heavy  express  service  ; 
but  is  rather  more  strongly  built  than  most  of  these, 
and  is  mounted  on  four  strong  elliptic  steel  springs 
instead  of  three. 

Heat  Radiators. — In  the  glass-roofed  winter  mar- 
ket-gardens now  carried  on,  extensive  use  is  made  of 
hot  water  or  steam  radiating  pipes,  as  well  as  of  steam 
for  pumping.  On  my  place  there  are  three  steam 
pumps,  and  I  have  five  boilers.  At  some  times  the 
latter  are  all  in  service  together,  mainly  for  heating. 

No  attempt  will  be  made  here  to  enter  into  an  ac- 
count of  the  methods  in  use  for  this  purpose.  It  is  a 
very  extensive  and  intricate  subject  —  one  which  should 


Steam  Pump  —  Plant  Diseases,      203 

be  long  and  carefully  studied  before  you  attempt  to  do 
anything  involving  outlays.  The  only  safe  rule  is  to  go 
slow  —  and  make  sure  you  fully  understand  everything 
vou  undertake. 


Deane    Boiier   ar.d    Pl 


The  PrMPixG  Apparatus  illustrated  by  the  fore- 
goin;^  cut  is  the  one  alluded  to  in  Part  I,  on  page  24,  in 
connection  with  the  subject  of  "  Irrigation." 

Remedies  and  Preventives  of  Disease  in  Plants. 
Amongst  the  various  forms  of  disease  in  plants,  we  re- 
cognize two  distinct  classes ;  one  due  to  the  presence 
of  animal  parasites,  —  insects  and  their  larvae,  —  the 
other  including  smut,  mildew,  blight,  rust,  and  similar 
fungoid,  or  vegetable  parasitic  growths. 

It  is  not  always  certain  to  which  of  these  two  classes 
the   trouble    belon-^s.     Some    believe    it    is    an    insect 


204  Market  Gardening. 

which  causes  the  "blight"  in  celery;  but  I  do  not 
agree  with  that  view.  I  know  an  insect  does  appear 
on  the  leaves  when  they  begin  to  decay;  but  on  almost 
every  different  kind  of  decaying  vegetation  some  one 
insect  peculiar  to  it  is  apt  to  appear  —  being  invited 
by  the  decay,  but  not  the  occasion  of  it. 

And  often  when  the  insects  have  made  their  appear- 
ance and  the  leaves  are  already  yellow,  if  there  is  a 
sufficient  application  of  water,  either  by  the  occurrence 
of  a  heavy  rain  or  artificially  supplied  by  irrigation, 
the  insects  will  disappear,  the  yellow  leaves  will  drop 
away,  and  the  plants  will  grow  healthy  again,  with  a  good 
crop  as  the  result.  The  renewed  vitality  of  the  plant 
enables  it  to  cast  off  the  parasitic  enemies  which  would 
otherwise  have  joined  forces  and  eaten  it  up. 

This  view  points  us  to  the  main  remedy  or  preven- 
tive of  all  disease,  — and  more  particularly  the  chief  pre- 
ventive against  every  form  of  vegetable  parasite,  viz.  : 
clean  and  nourishing  culture.  In  the  outset  this  is  the 
means,  and  the  only  means,  to  be  relied  upon.  This  is 
the  first  requirement ;  of  course  there  are  others.  Hurt- 
ful conditions  may  be  noted  and  avoided.  Mismanage- 
ment of  heat  (or  moisture)  on  forced  crops  frequently 
entails  a  blight.  Some  harmful  element  in  the  soil  or 
fertilizer  may  cause  the  plants  to  languish  for  a  time, 
and  so  allow  the  fungus  spores  to  get  a  foothold.  It 
is  good  policy,  alike  as  against  the  fungi  and  the  insect 
pests,  to  put  all  the  vigor  v/e  can  into  the  growing 
plants.  We  should  also  remember  the  great  impor- 
tance of  prompt  treatment  when  disease  "is  apparent. 

Fumigation  has  already  been  spoken  of  [see  p.  124.] 


rfisecticides — Liquid  and  Dry.       205 


Insecticides   in   liquid   solution    are  used   by  spray- 
ing or  syringing  the  foliage.     Either  Syringes,  Force 


spraying  the   Plants. 

Pumps,  or  Garden  Engines  may  be  brought  into  service 
according  to  the  scale  on  which  the  operation  is  to  be 
carried  out. 

But  there  are  drawbacks  and  difficulties  in  the  use 
of  liquid  solutions  :  one  is  that  the  poison  does  not 
actually  dissolve  in  the  water,  which  has  to  be  con- 
stantly agitated  to  maintain  a  mixture.  Another  is  the 
great  weight  of  the  quantity  required  to  be  used.  Dry 
mixtures  are  therefore  employed,  being  dusted  over 
the  plants.  They  should  be  put  on  preferably  when 
the  foliage  is  still  damp  after  a  rain  or  dew. 

A  capital  implement  for  applying  dry  mixtures  to 
field  crops  is  that  shown  in  the  following  illustration. 
It  is  called  the  "Farmer's  Favorite  Duster.''  In  oper- 
atinoj  this  device,  the  left  hand  is  held  firm  while  the 


206 


Market  Gardening, 


right  hand  rotates  the  reservoir  of  poison  and  diffuses 
it  effectively. 


Farmer's    Favorite, 


The  well-known  Slug  Shot  is  applied  with  a  bellows 
such  as  is  shown  in  the  cut  on  p.  196. 

Neighbors  should  combine ;  and  unitedly  pursue 
such  measures  as  are  known  to  be  efficient.  Due 
inquiry  and  better  knowledge  of  facts  might  do  much 
towards  limiting,  if  not  wholly  exterminating,  each  and 
every  kind  of  parasitic  pest.  Take  for  instance  the 
Pea  weevil.  If  all  the  farmers  of  the  country  should 
unitedly  forbear  to  raise  peas  for  a  single  year,  it  would 
die  off  completely. 

But  meanv/hile  it  has  been  gravely  maintained  (and 


Injurious  LiscctSs  207 

is  not  very  fur  from  the  truth)  that  the  whole  business 
of  crop  raising  has  come  to  consist  mainly  in  a  contest 
against  insect  depredators.  These  are  not  discouraged 
when  they  find  a  healthy  and  vigorous  plant  growth 
wailing  for  them  to  feed  on.  Sometimes,  indeed,  they 
will  sweep  o.T  every  plant  in  an  early  stage  of  growth  ; 
or  they  may  delny  their  coming  till  just  before  harvest 
and  then  consume  the  entire  crop. 

The  Wavy-striped  Flea-beetle  (Haltica  Striolata)  is 
ver\'  destructive  to  young  Cabbages  and  Turnips.  As 
soon  as  the  young  cabbages  appear  above  the  ground  it 
attacks  them  by  eating  off  the  seed  leaves  ;  later,  when 
the  second  leaves  appear,  the  danger  lies  in  another 
quarter,  and  it  will  often  be  noticed  that  the  plant  wilts 
and  changes  color.     The  grub  has  eaten  away  the  roots. 

The  same  insects  that  attack  young  Cabbage  plants, 
and  the  Turnips,  also  infest  the  Radish.  In  some  local- 
ities it  is  almost  impossible  to  grow  radishes  of  a  size 
fit  for  the  table  before  they  are  practicilly  destroyed  by 
a  small  maggot.  This  maggot  appears  to  be  the  larva 
of  a  fly,  closely  related  to  those  so  destructive  to  the 
Onion. 

The  Imported  Onion  Fly  lays  her  eg^s  on  the  leaves 
of  the  young  and  small  onioti  plants,  near  the  ground. 
They  soon  hatch,_and  the  maggots  at  once  attack  the 
bulb.  In  about  two  w^eeks  after  this  a  second  brood 
of  tiies  appears,  to  be  followed  by  more  maggots.  The 
remedy  consists  in  removing  every  infested  bulb.  These 
may  be  known  by  the  leave3  turning  yellow.  They  can- 
not be  pulled  up  by  the  tops  without  risk  of  letting  the 
maggot  escape  from  the  decayed  bulb.     They  must  be 


2o3  Market  Gai^dcnincr. 


lifted  by  a  trowel,  or  an  old  knife,  so  as  to  be  sure  to 
bring  up  the  maggot.  The  bulbs  so  removed,  and  the 
maggots,  must  be  burned.  ' 

The  Squash  and  Pumpkin,  the  Cucumber,  and  the 
Melon  all  belong  to  the  Cucurbitacc<£,  or  Gourd  Family. 
Hence,  naturally,  the  same  insects  infest  all  these  re- 
lated plants.  The  Squash  Bug  is  one  of  the  worst  and 
most  disagreeable.  When  handled  or  disturbed,  it 
gives  OiTf  a  very  repulsive  odor.  The  insects  are  quiet 
during  the  day,  but  at  night  lay  their  eggs  in  little 
patches,  of  a  brownish  yellow  color,  and  glued  to  the 
leaves.  They  are  quite  easily  kept  under  control  by 
handpicking. 

Conclusion. — In  concluding  this  Market  Gardening 
Manual,  I  wish  to  repeat  and  enforce  what  I  said  in 
the  beginning  :  Success  in  market  gardening  demands 
intelligence,  diligence,  and  natural  aptitude.  Personal 
diligence  and  natural  aptitude  are  matters  outside  the 
scope  of  any  manual ;  but  an  Intelligent  Cul  ivation  of 
the  various  crops  under  all  the  varying  conditions  of 
the  business  can,  of  course,  be  promoted  greatly  by  re- 
ferring to  the  experience  acquired  by  those  who  have 
succeeded  in  it. 

I  therefore  submit  this  book  to  the  public  with  the 
conviction  that  it  meets  a  real  demand,  and  will  answer 
a  useful  purpose. 


..i:^p^^f^^1lj?^f?^ 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 

3  0112  051869425 


